Roger Washington, MD
Sleep To Live Well Foundation
Medical Director
Education and Credentials
Undergraduate: Pomona College
Medical Degree: Stanford University School of Medicine
Residency: Family Medicine, Stanford-affiliated San Jose Hospital
Fellowship: Fellow of the AAFP, recognized for service and teaching
Member: American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Awards: “Top Doc” by San Jose Magazine
I’m helping children turn life's lemons into opportunities
“I feel passionate about giving back to my community. I choose to help the more vulnerable build resilience to life's challenges and discover their innate abilities in adversity.
The wisdom and guidance I share in our Sleep Wellness educational materials and charitable programs aim to inspire preventative behaviors and empower a joyful, well-lived life.”
“In my family care practice, I see high-tech workers, nurses, emergency medical technicians, parents, and children of all ages — all suffering from illnesses caused by the lack of sufficient sleep. No one is immune to the sleep deprivation epidemic until we recognize how important deep sleep is to our well-being.”
“Imagine waking up every morning feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the day. That is the power of a good night's sleep. Sleep To Live Well Foundation is here to transform your relationship with sleep and empower you to tap into what your body knows how to do naturally.”
“As above in sleep, so below in life:
Our logo represents the balance we all need between sufficient deep sleep and resilient living to maintain health and wellness.”
— Roger Washington, MD
My Personal ACEs Story
“Due to my own childhood experiences, my primary concern is assisting children who live in toxic, stressful, and traumatic environments, along with their caregivers.”
“My personal journey inspired me to prioritize children and their caregivers, making them the first focus of my Sleep Wellness programs.”
“I was born into a biracial family in New Jersey in the 1950s when interracial marriage was frowned upon. After a troubled and tumultuous relationship, my parents separated, and my mother stole away with me when I was a baby. My mother became overwhelmed trying to raise two young children while working night shifts as a private-duty nurse without any support or help.
As a rambunctious two-year-old, my mother placed me in a Catholic orphanage, seemingly only visiting sporadically. During these early, tender years, I survived in the orphanage until my birth father found me at the age of five and took me to live with his new family. There, while it was an improvement, I experienced bullying and physical and mental abuse.
Throughout my childhood in impoverished circumstances, I witnessed violence in the community and my household, and I experienced parental neglect. Like other children living in stressful circumstances, sleep was sometimes a vital refuge and necessary escape.
Despite the challenges of my adverse childhood experiences, helping hands enabled my innate intelligence and curiosity to shine through, leading to academic opportunities at preparatory schools and college achievements. Ultimately, I overcame the odds to attend Stanford Medical School and establish a primary care practice in Silicon Valley.
In my solo practice, I went beyond traditional medicine regarding sleep. I researched the link between a lack of sufficient sleep (LOSS) and disease. I successfully integrated this knowledge into Sleep Wellness practices, which became the foundation for helping people restore their health. My approach includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help patients change unhealthy sleep and lifestyle patterns; trauma-informed care to address the impact of toxic stress and ACEs on sleep and health, and integrative medicine, combining evidence-based medicine with holistic practices.
Today, I am proud to bring the Sleep To Live Well Foundation’s mission to prioritize Sleep Wellness as one of life’s most essential needs — like water, air, and food.”
"Everyone has the natural ability to sleep like a baby and reap its life-affirming benefits.”
— Roger Washington, MD