2024-2025 Officers & Board Members

The purview of the Board of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA) is an academy exemplifying professional excellence in upper airway, breathing and sleep issues in the burgeoning field of sleep-related Dental Medicine (Dental Sleep Medicine).

Officers

President: Dr. Jon Caulfield

Dr. Jon W. Caulfield owns and operates Epic Dentistry in Littleton, Colorado where he takes an integrated, whole health approach to dentistry, focused on the areas of Sleep, Airway and TMJ. He has been fortunate to work alongside world leaders in neuromuscular occlusion and pneumopedics and is now paying it forward, teaching hundreds of dentists worldwide how to integrate solutions for sleep, airway and TMJ into their practices. Dr. Caulfield is an instructor at the Institute for Craniofacial Sleep Medicine and leads the Clinical Advisory and Advocate Program at Vivos Therapeutics. A graduate of University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Dr. Caulfield also holds an advanced graduate degree with Occlusion Connections and a diplomate status with the American Sleep and Breathing Academy.

CEO: David Gergen

David Gergen, CDT and President of Pro Player Health Alliance, has been a nationally respected dental lab technician for over 30 years. He received the award for “The Finest Orthodontic Technician in the Country” given by Columbus Dental in 1986. He also has been appointed Executive Director and CEO of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy Dental Division, a national interdisciplinary academy dedicated to sleep training and education with over 60,000 members. David rolled out of bed on December 4, 1982 and had his career “ah ha” moment. He knew he was going to be an orthodontic technician and he knew he was going to help people all over the country to help treat their sleep disorders in partnership with their dentists. He has worked for some of the pioneers in the orthodontic and sleep dentistry fields. He was the personal technician for the likes of Dr. Robert Ricketts, Dr. Ronald Roth, Dr. A. Paul Serrano, Dr. Clark Jones, Dr. Harold Gelb, Dr. Joseph R. Cohen, Dr. Rodney Willey, Dr. Allan Bernstein, and Dr. Thien Pham. One of his proudest achievements is receiving The National Leadership award for Arizona Small Businessman of the Year in 2015

Treasurer: Rudi Ferrate M.D.

Dr. Rudi Ferrate is a Board Certified Sleep Physician in private practice in Glendale, AZ. Besides his expertise in Family Medicine he has been diagnosing and treating patients with sleep disorders, medical weight loss as well as preventative medicine with an emphasis or hormones and nutrition. Dr. Ferrate is also boarded in Family Medicine, non surgical Bariatric Medicine. From the very beginning of his medical career has nurtured his passion to find the best, most specific yet natural treatments in the field of Wellness, rejuvenation, sleep disorders and weight loss. He is an active member of various academies and holds medical licenses in multiple states as well as outside of the US. In the sleep medicine field his purpose is to collaborate with the best in the field to define the future of sleep disorders treatment and performance where dentists and physicians will work together using all available therapies as well as develop innovative protocols, tools and medical devices for sleep disorders performance where dentists and physicians will work together using all available therapies as well as develop innovative protocols, tools and medical devices for sleep disorders.

Vice President: Dr. Eugene Azuma

Dr. Eugene Azuma, received his Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa before pursuing his Professional Diploma in Secondary Education Specializing in Biology and Marine Science. He then received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Georgetown University School of Dentistry in Washington DC.

In 1990, Dr. Azuma established Eugene M. Azuma, DDS, his family-oriented dental practice in Honolulu, HI. What started off as a small, two-operatory office later evolved into a technologically advanced dental practice in 1995. We utilize digital xrays, 3D conebeam radiography and dental Lasers for the Nightlase procedure.

Dr. Eugene M. Azuma, DDS is a specialist in sleep apnea treatment and dental sleep medicine. In 2016, Dr. Azuma, along with his colleagues, established Hawaii Dental Sleep Medicine, LLC.

Additionally, Dr. Azuma is a member of the American Dental Associations, Honolulu County Dental Society, Diplomat of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, Cerec Study club, Leeward Prosthetics Study club, and the Hawaii Sleep Society.

Director at Large: Alan Hickey

Alan Hickey founded of Arrow Publishing, a medical and technical publishing company based in Dublin, IRL and HB, CA., known for publications such as SleepDT, Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal, CHEST Brazil, India, France and PEDIATRICS Russia, India.

Before publishing, Alan developed video games across many game platforms for companies such as Disney, Dreamworks and Microsoft for global distribution, many of which are available in 24 languages and 109 countries.

In 2010 Alan co-founded Apolis Medical, which specializes in mobile app development for all apple iOS and android platforms for the Pulmonary, Respiratory, Sleep and Dental industries.

In 2015 Alan joined the American Sleep and Breathing Academy “ASBA”, with a mission to integrate dentistry and medicine to treat sleep medicine disorders. The ASBA develops education and training for sleep healthcare practitioners. Along with the clinical journal ‘Sleep Diagnosis & Therapy’ the ASBA publishes a consumer-orientated magazine titled ‘Sleep & Wellness’ which is distributed to over 110k dental and medical practices. The ASBA also hosts an annual convention in April every year for healthcare specialists.

Alan has written a non-profit book for students about “Game Design”. He also maintains several online healthcare blog website for sleep, respiratory and dental sleep medicine, which have a large number of subscribers.

After over 18 years in the business Alan is still one of its best… (Chess players).

Director of Finance: Sekhar Vemparala

About Sekhar Vemparala, Founder, Principal wealthDNA

Sekhar Vemparala is one of the most sought after investment advisors around today. Known for his ability to connect with almost anyone, he leverages his networking prowess to bring together top industry transformers and leaders.

Sekhar Vemparala is the senior advisor and principal of Wealth Planning Advisory Group. He is also the founder of wealthDNA, which is a unique process that is designed to discover your individual wealth signature and has markers that will help manage, accumulate and distribute your wealth with the greatest tax efficiency.

Board Members

Dr. Eugene Azuma

Dr. Eugene M. Azuma, DDS is a specialist in sleep apnea treatment and dental sleep medicine. In 2016, Dr. Azuma, along with his colleagues, established Hawaii Dental Sleep Medicine, LLC.

Dr. John Carollo

John Carollo DMD received his dental degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, (now Rutgers Dental School), and is a Member of the Academy of General Dentistry, The American Dental Association, The Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and a Diplomat in The American Sleep Breathing Academy. Dr. Carollo is a National and International Speaker for Sleep Group Solutions, Straumann Implants, Neoss Implants and Nobel Biocare Implants.

He has presented extensively on the subjects of Dental Sleep Medicine, Fabricating Dental Sleep Appliances Over Orthodontic Retainers, Avoiding Complications and Pitfalls in Implant Dentistry from Single Teeth to Full Mouth Restorations, All-on-4™ Lecture and Hands-On, Contemporary Implant Esthetics, Anterior Esthetics for Implants and Natural Teeth, All-Ceramic Restorations, Dental Digital Dentistry & Photography and Treatment Planning for Dental Implant Cases.

Currently, Dr. Carollo is presenting on Immediate Loading and Immediate Function of Dental Implants, Full Arch Implant Therapy: Assessment for Surgical and Restorative Options, the “All-on-4™” Technique and “Teeth-in-a-Day™”. Dr. Carollo also is presenting on Dental Sleep Medicine, (Sleep Apnea Therapy), and Incorporating Dental Sleep into Your Dental Office.

He has authored articles on the Dental Sleep Medicine, the NobelProcera System; the All-Ceram Bridges, Digital Photography, Computerized Shade Mapping & Laboratory Communication. Dr. Carollo teaches hands-on programs in: All-on-4™, Dental Digital Photography, Airway Titration for Dental Oral Sleep Appliances, Effective Case Presentations, Laboratory Communication, Patient Education, Treatment Planning, Increasing Case Acceptance and Contemporary Implant Perspectives.

Dr. Carollo is a 2018 New Jersey Top Dentist as Selected by his peers. Additionally; Dr. Carollo is the Team Dentist for the New York Jets of the National Football League. Dr. Carollo maintains a full time General/Restorative Private Practice in Florham Park, New Jersey.

Edward Hobbs, DDS

Dr. Hobbs has been treating patients in Longview for nearly 45 years. He’s highly regarded in the community for providing superior care in a friendly, professional manner. Dentistry is a dynamic field, with new technological advances occurring every day. That’s why Dr. Hobbs spends a considerable amount of time taking continuing education courses every year. He also keeps up with the current professional literature to learn about the latest breakthroughs in the field.

After graduating from the Baylor College of Dentistry, Dr. Hobbs jetted off to Southern California to broaden his dental knowledge. There, he attended the Herman OSTROW School of Dentistry at USC, completing a three-year residency where he concentrated on orofacial pain, oral medicine, and sleep disorders.

Dr. Hobbs is an author who has published scholarly articles in the Journal of the American Dental Association. He’s also an authority on dentures, dental implants, and treating sleep disorders. Dr. Hobbs shares his extensive knowledge by teaching and mentoring students and fellow dentists around the world.

Felix Liao, DDS

Dr. Liao, is a bestselling author and thought-leader in natural wellness and the mind/mouth/body connection. He is the founder and director of the Whole Health Dental Center in Falls Church, VA, and has served as president of the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine.

A practicing dentist for more than 30 years, Dr. Liao gained acclamation for having identified Impaired Mouth Syndrome as an overlooked source of many medical and dental issues – and for developing an effective intervention framework for redeveloping an impaired mouth into a holistic mouth. He is the author of the bestselling books Six-Foot Tiger, Three-Foot Cage and Early Sirens, and the just released Amazon Best Seller Licensed to Thrive.

Suzanne R. Mericle, D.M.D

Dr. Mericle has been practicing Dentistry for over 30 years on Saint Simons Island, Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia where she received her BS in Microbiology. She attended Medical College of Georgia Dental School and graduated in 1991 with honors.

Dr. Mericle has been a Keynote Opinion Leader and Speaker for several Dental companies, including Den Mat, Glidewell Dental, American Academy of Facial Esthetics, Kettenbach, Practical Sleep Education, Mommy, American Sleep and Breathing Academy, and Excel. Dr. Mericle is also a KOL (Key Opinion Leader) for Smile Direct Club. Dr. Mericle is also the Principal Lead Investigator for AbbVie for “ Pilot Study of the Effect of Botox on Sleep Bruxism”.

Dr. Mericle was very instrumental and petition the Georgia Board twice to encourage the Board to change their policy on Georgia Dentist to be allowed to order Home Sleep Tests for their patients,. This is a huge win for Dentists and their patients to have better access for much needed care. Physicians and Dentists mutually working together for the patient. A well-known speaker and is frequently heard on podcasts, webinars and is very knowledgeable on a variety of Dental topics. She has written several articles on Dental Sleep Medicine, TMD/TMJ, Periodontal Disease, Botox/Filler and several other dental products.

Dr. Mericle is a Diplomat with American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and American Sleep and Breathing Academy. She has her Fellowship with Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation and American Academy of Facial esthetics and trained with the Pankey institute, as well. She maintains professional membership in the Georgia Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, Sleep Group Solutions, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Medicine, and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy and VIVOS.

Anthony Scianni, D.M.D.

A New Jersey native, Dr. Scianni graduated from Rutgers University in 1982. With a Bachelors Degree in microbiology and business, Dr. Scianni entered dental school at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He received his D.M.D. degree in 1986 and graduated at the top his class with honors. Since graduating from dental school, Dr. Scianni has followed a tradition of high-quality dentistry with personalized care. His philosophy is to use the latest techniques and State-of-the-Art technology to help maintain the patient’s oral health.

Strongly committed to ongoing professional education, Dr. Scianni participates in many continuing education courses, seminars, and clinics. He has attended over 1000 hours of continuing education in implant, cosmetic and restorative dentistry and sleep-disordered breathing. He has received advanced training in implant dentistry from N.Y.U. College of Dentistry as well as advanced training in cosmetic and restorative dentistry from some of the world’s most renowned clinicians.