Hospital to become the only center in South Florida offering Inspire® therapy for pediatric patients with Down syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea
October 28, 2026 — During Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is celebrating its first successful implantation of an Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulation device in a teenage patient with Down syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea.
“For families whose children have Down syndrome and continue to struggle with sleep apnea despite surgery or cannot tolerate CPAP, having another treatment option can bring renewed hope,” said Dr. Aaron Willis, Director of Sleep Medicine at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. “Our goal is to help these teens sleep more soundly so they can feel more rested and participate more fully in the activities they enjoy.”
This milestone marks a significant step forward for the Joe DiMaggio Sleep Center, which is celebrating its 12th year of accreditation by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. As South Florida’s gold-standard center of excellence for sleep medicine, it is now the only center in the region offering this therapy to these patients, advancing pediatric sleep care into the future.
Dr. Eamon McLaughlin, a community physician who treats adults within Memorial Healthcare System, performed the procedure with assistance from Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital specialists. The pediatric team included Dr. Aaron Willis, Director of Sleep Medicine, Dr. Galia Napchan, associate medical director of pediatric pulmonary and Dr. Thomas Schrepfer, who specializes in pediatric otolaryngology.
The collaboration brings together adult surgical experience and pediatric expertise to help families access a new treatment option close to home.
How Inspire Works
Inspire therapy is the first FDA approved obstructive sleep apnea treatment that works inside the body to treat the root cause of sleep apnea. Through a small device implanted during a minimally invasive procedure, Inspire therapy uses gentle stimulation to keep the airway open during sleep. Patients or caregivers can simply click the button on the Inspire remote to turn the therapy on before bedtime.
Why it Matters
Nearly 60 percent of babies born with Down syndrome develop obstructive sleep apnea. The condition repeatedly interrupts breathing during sleep and can affect learning, attention, behavior and quality of life.
Although removing the tonsils and adenoids is often the first treatment, many children continue to experience sleep apnea afterward. Some also struggle to tolerate continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, leaving families searching for effective alternatives.
In a pivotal study of adolescents with Down syndrome, after Inspire was placed, approximately two-thirds of participants achieved at least a 60% reduction in apnea severity. Caregivers also report 50% less daily tiredness and noticeable improvements in alertness and energy with consistent use.
Inspire therapy is FDA-approved for select adolescents ages 13 and up with Down syndrome and severe obstructive sleep apnea who are not effectively treated by tonsil and adenoid surgery and cannot tolerate positive airway pressure therapy. A comprehensive evaluation determines eligibility.
By expanding treatment options and bringing specialists together, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is helping more families find a path toward better sleep and better days.
About Memorial Healthcare System
South Florida-based Memorial Healthcare System is a national leader in quality care and patient, physician and employee satisfaction. Its commitment to deeper caring, smarter health and community outreach prioritizes a person-centered approach that has delivered safe, positive outcomes for more than 70 years.
Memorial is committed to healing the body, mind and spirit of those in its care. For more information, visit mhs.net and connect on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
