Summary: Jack Edinger, PhD, an insomnia researcher and clinician, passed away on May 25 at age 72. He was a professor at Duke and an adjunct professor at the National Jewish Health Center. He co-founded an insomnia outpatient program at Duke University School of Medicine and helped establish the Duke Sleep Lab in the 1980s. Edinger also worked at the Durham VA Health Care System for 32 years and developed a behavioral sleep medicine program. He was a member of several professional associations and authored over 267 publications. In 2018, he received the Nathaniel Kleitman Distinguished Award from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Key Takeaways:
- Professional Contributions: Edinger co-founded an insomnia outpatient program at Duke University School of Medicine and helped establish the Duke Sleep Lab in the 1980s.
- Career and Mentorship: He held roles at Duke University, Durham VA Health Care System, and National Jewish Health Center, developing sleep medicine programs and mentoring trainees.
- Recognition and Publications: Edinger authored over 267 publications and received the Nathaniel Kleitman Distinguished Award in 2018 for his contributions to sleep medicine.
Jack Edinger, PhD, a pioneering insomnia researcher and clinician who helped establish the Duke Sleep Lab in the 1980s and founded a behavioral sleep medicine program at the Durham VA, passed away on May 25 at age 72.
Edinger received a degree in clinical psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1977 and was certified in behavioral sleep medicine in 2003. He was a former professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University School of Medicine from 2002 to 2011 and an adjunct professor from 2012 until his death.
“Dr Edinger was unwaveringly dedicated to training and mentorship, leading with humor, patience, and graciousness,” reads a post from Duke University. “In addition to imparting his clinical wisdom to trainees, he made sure they were well-versed in the Duke Basketball starting lineup and the status of his vegetable garden each spring.”
While at Duke University School of Medicine, he co-founded an insomnia outpatient program and helped establish the Duke Sleep Lab in the 1980s.
Career at Durham VA and National Jewish Health Center
Edinger also worked at the Durham VA Health Care System for 32 years, from 1980 to 2012, serving as the acting chief of the psychology service for the last 15 years of his VA tenure. Edinger developed a behavioral sleep medicine program at the Durham VA that continues today.
In 2012, Edinger accepted an appointment as an adjunct professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the National Jewish Health Center, according to his obituary. His current profile lists him as an insomnia specialist in the section of sleep medicine and department of medicine. “There, he not only found great personal satisfaction in treating patients in a clinical setting and continuing his research but was instrumental in securing numerous and sizable, government-funded grants until his passing,” reads his obituary.
Sleep Medicine Contributions
Edinger was a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Psychological Association, and Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy. He held seats on the Presidential Committee on Behavioral Sleep Medicine and the International Classification of Sleep Disorders Revision Task Force.
In 2018, he was presented with the Nathaniel Kleitman Distinguished Award from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He authored and co-authored more than 267 publications on the nature, classification, and management of insomnia disorders.
“Jack’s passing represents a tragic loss to the sleep medicine community; his contributions to the field of sleep medicine are immense and enduring,” reads the post from Duke University.
Photo caption: Jack Edinger
File photo
Leave a Reply