Arlington, VA – November 19, 2024 – Today, the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) announced Muhammed Ajmal – from Eccles, England – is the winner of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Educational Grant. Muhammed, who has been in sleep for five years, first as an IONM Technologist and currently an IOM Physiologist, was selected out of more than 45 applications; the grant covers the cost of one RPSGT or CCSH exam fee.
The DEI Grant Program recognizes a sleep technologist who is actively advocating or involved with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives within their community and/or Health Care institution, influencing continual impacts to patient care.
“Muhammed is deeply passionate about enhancing patient care and access, addressing disparities and fostering an inclusive environment for both patients and colleagues,” said BRPT Chair of the DEI Committee, Michelle DiMaria, BS, RRT, RPSGT. “He eloquently described that as a sleep technologist promoting DEI within the field has been both impactful and deeply personal.”
Muhammed has been actively involved in advocating for more equitable access to sleep studies, understanding that many individuals from marginalized communities face barriers such as financial constraints, lack of transportation, or limited access to healthcare. To address these challenges, he worked with his team to implement a sliding scale fee system for sleep studies and established partnerships with local community organizations to offer transportation assistance.
In addition, Muhammed made it a priority to support and mentor colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds. He began by offering guidance, sharing resources, and advocating for their professional growth. In doing so, he was able to help them navigate the challenges of their careers and to foster a more inclusive work environment. This included encouraging diverse voices to participate in research projects, present at conferences, and engage in professional networks, thereby enriching the field with a broader range of perspectives.
“DEI efforts are profoundly significant to me on a personal level because they reflect my core values of fairness, empathy, and respect for all individuals,” said Muhammed. “Witnessing firsthand the impact of these initiatives on both patients and colleagues has reinforced my commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive environment. By addressing barriers to care and fostering professional opportunities, I am dedicated to ensuring that the field of sleep medicine is accessible and representative of the diverse populations we serve.”
The application window opened in mid-August and the deadline for receipt of all applications was September 12, 2024. The BRPT’s DEI Committee reviewed all applications through a carefully crafted rubric to determine the best qualified applicants.
The BRPT’s DEI Educational Grant Program provides financial assistance to current Sleep Technologists who are eligible to sit for the RPSGT exam via one of the five pathways, or a CCSH exam candidate who is eligible to sit for the exam via one of the three pathways available.
About The BRPT
The BRPT develops and administers credentialing exams for polysomnographic technologists and technicians. The RPSGT is respected worldwide as the leading credential for polysomnographic technologists. Since the first credentialing exam administration in 1979, BRPT has credentialed nearly 25,000 RPSGTs worldwide. In May 2014, BRPT launched the Certification In Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH) examination for healthcare providers specializing in sleep medicine who work directly with sleep medicine patients, families and practitioners for patient care management, improved outcomes, and sleep health education and advocacy for patients and the community.
The BRPT is an independent, non-profit certification board that cultivates the highest professional and ethical standards for polysomnographic technologists. In addition to administering the RPSGT, CPSGT, and CCSH exams in the United States and internationally, the BRPT also maintains the RPSGT registry and CPSGT roster. In addition, the BRPT provides its Continuing Sleep Technology Education (CSTE) Program for educational providers seeking continuing education credits for their offerings. For more information, please visit www.brpt.org.
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