Our Story

The Sleep Institute (TSI) was founded in 2020 to address the significant gap in medical care between the diagnosis, treatment and access to quality care for the management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and other Sleep Disorders in Alberta.

The Sleep Institute provides patients with an understanding and offers only appropriate testing necessary to address their sleep difficulties within the context of their overall medical and social situations. Our team offers comprehensive assessments and assistance to ensure that individual patients obtains the correct diagnosis with appropriate evidence-based testing which will guide the proper treatment and follow-up support.

Our Mission

To provide a Sleep Specialist Physician-led, multidisciplinary and fully integrated approach to sleep health.

  • To Get The Right Treatment for Each Patient

    Our goal at The Sleep Institute is to ensure the best treatment for each patient’s individual needs based on proper clinical assessment and appropriate testing.  All consultations are covered under Alberta and NWT Health.

  • Quality Care by certified Sleep Specialist Physicians

    To provide top-notch quality patient-centred care along with seamless communication and continuity of care with a patient's primary care provider for all sleep related disorders.

  • Fully Accredited by College Of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)

    Our qualified sleep team includes: Sleep Specialist Physicians, Sleep Behavior Therapists, Sleep technicians, and Educators

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Dr. Charles Samuels

Medical Director, Dr. Charles Samuels

Dr. Samuels is the Medical Director of The Sleep Institute and Centre for Sleep & Human Performance in Calgary, Alberta. Dr. Samuels is board certified in Sleep Medicine with the American Board of Sleep Medicine.


He has acted as a primary and co-investigator on over 20 clinical trials from Phase II to Phase IV. He is currently the lead investigator for the Calgary Police Service Health and Human Performance Research Initiative, which is a long-term research project exploring the impact of rotating shift work on the health and performance of police officers.

This project is part of a North American collaboration including Harvard University, New York State University Buffalo and Washington State University.

  • DR. JOSEPH ASKIN

    DR. JOSEPH ASKIN, M.D., F.C.F.P., SOMNOLOGIST (ESRS)

    Dr. Askin has practiced general sleep medicine at the Centre for Sleep and Human Performance in Calgary since leaving family practice in 2007. He received his medical education at the Universities of Calgary (1989) and Alberta (1991).  He holds the designation Somnologist – Expert in Sleep Medicine from the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS) and has trained in life-coaching and medical cognitive behavioural therapy. He provides comprehensive care to patients with the full range of sleep/wake disorders and has a special interest in cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi). He has conducted workshops and written articles on various aspects of sleep, work-life balance, and bio-medical ethics.

  • DR. ROBERT COHEN

    DR. ROBERT COHEN, M.D., CCFP, SOMNOLOGIST (ESRS)

    Dr. Cohen received his MD from Dalhousie University in 1998 and completed his Family Medicine training at the University of Alberta. He holds the designation Somnologist – Expert in Sleep Medicine from the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS).  He practiced a broad scope of community-based Family Medicine prior to joining the Centre for Sleep & Human Performance in 2006, where he provides comprehensive care of all sleep disorders.

    Dr. Cohen has given invited presentations to public and professional audiences in the areas of insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea and sleep in medical disorders. His current areas of interest are the primary care approach to sleep disorders and the management of shift work sleep disorder.  

    Dr. Cohen enjoys teaching Family Medicine Residents at the Centre with mentoring them with their Sleep Medicine training. He also enjoys working with shift workers and helping them best manage their sleep.

  • DR. KATHERINE RASMUSSEN

    DR. KATHERINE RASMUSSEN, ND**, B.ED, BA

    Dr. Rasmussen ND**, B.ED, BA is the Director of the Behavioural Sleep Medicine Program at the Centre for Sleep & Human Performance. She works to develop, facilitate, and manage an adult and pediatric program to support an interdisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, management, and treatment of sleep disorders. She also focuses on community education and wellness.

    In addition to her post-graduate degree in Naturopathic Medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Dr. Rasmussen holds bachelor’s degrees in Education from Queen’s University, and in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario.

    Dr. Rasmussen possesses expertise in Behavioural Sleep Medicine including insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorders, shift work, nightmares, chronotherapy, as well as mindfulness and meditation.

    Affiliations and Appointments:

    Member, College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta

    Member, Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors

    Member, Alberta Association of Naturopathic Doctors

  • DR. MARNIE COOKE

    DR. MARNIE COOKE, ND*

    Dr. Cooke ND** supports the Centre’s physicians in treating a variety of sleep disorders by working with patients to implement behavioural sleep techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi). She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.

    Affiliations and Appointments:

    Member, College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta 

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