Timothy J. Beltz, RPSGT, CCSH

Registered Sleep Technologist

Tim Beltz joined St. Thomas Sleep Center in April, 2007 as one of our Registered Sleep Technologists.  Tim is very highly qualified, having met the rigorous requirements necessary to become credentialed by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.

Tim is a critical member of the St. Thomas Sleep Center team.  He has in-depth knowledge of the center’s state-of-the-art polysomnography (sleep monitoring) technology.  He is responsible for preparing patients for daytime or nighttime sleep studies by setting up the intricate, pain-free devices that gather data on the patients’ physiologic activity while sleeping.  Data is gathered on patients’ breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels, brain activity, heart activity, eye movement and muscle activity.  The data is then “scored” and is used to help the physicians pinpoint the cause of each patient’s sleep problems and recommend the best treatment options.

Tim brings a wealth of sleep testing and patient-care experience to the St. Thomas Sleep Center.  Prior to relocating to St. Thomas, Tim worked as a Registered Sleep Technologist at SomniTech, Inc., one of the largest providers of diagnostic testing for sleep disorders in the Midwest.  Prior to joining SomniTech, Inc., Tim gained broad technical experience while working as a Registered Pharmacy Technologist, and before that, as a Chiropractic Technician.  Tim also spent a number of years working in radiology support roles.

In addition to his credentials as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist and as a Registered Pharmacy Technician, Tim also holds a Bachelor of Science and is certified to administer basic life support during life-threatening emergencies.
Tim’s friendly bedside manner, sense of humor and caring approach are characteristics that help our patients quickly relax and become comfortable during daytime and nighttime sleep studies.

Jana Blake

Practice Manager

Jana Blake is the Practice Manager of Virgin Islands Ear, Nose & Throat and St. Thomas Sleep Center.  In this role, Jana is responsible for patient and insurance billing administration, accounts receivable management, insurance provider relations and external communication for the two healthcare practices.

Jana is a highly accomplished veteran of the health insurance industry.  Prior to joining Virgin Islands Ear, Nose & Throat and St. Thomas Sleep Center, Jana spent nearly a decade working in prominent health insurance organizations.  She began her career at Aetna U.S. Healthcare in Dover, Delaware as a Senior Customer Service Representative and Claims Examiner.  Jana then relocated to Springfield, Missouri where she joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri as a Customer Care Associate.  She was quickly promoted to Customer Care Quality Coach and ultimately became a Customer Care Center Manager in charge of a team of individuals responsible for delivering high quality service to Blue Cross and Blue Shield subscribers.  During her tenure at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri, Jana helped to conceive and implement dozens of new quality improvement policies and trained hundreds of new associates on essential customer care techniques.

Virgin Islands Ear, Nose & Throat and St. Thomas Sleep Center are both delighted to have Jana on board.

Dominic Melendrez, RPSGT

Registered Sleep Technologist

Mr. Melendrez is an expert in clinical and behavioral sleep medicine. He has a Bachelors of Science in Biology and Psychology from the University of New Mexico and has worked in the sleep medicine field for over 20 years. He specializes in sleep breathing disorders, insomnia, nightmares and mental health-related sleep problems. He is a registered sleep technologist and one of the foremost authorities on advanced respiratory monitoring. He is also the developer of the Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Nap procedure used for patients who have anxiety about starting PAP therapy.

In addition to clinical experience, Mr. Melendrez has also made an extensive contribution in sleep medicine research co-authoring numerous research articles and giving presentations and workshops across the United States. Mr. Melendrez also co-founded one of the largest sleep center networks in the southwest. Recently he founded Fiducia, LLC, which provides sleep medicine clinical and research consulting services.

Beyond his professional career, Mr. Melendrez enjoys adventures with his wife and two young daughters. He also likes to play guitar and sing and is a music director for his church. He and his wife are also very involved in marriage and family ministries with their church.

Dominic Melendrez’ CV

Current Positions
2014-present: Fiducia, LLC, Sleep Medicine Clinical & Research Consulting Company, Owner, Rio Rancho, NM

2018-present: St Thomas Sleep Center and Virgin Islands Sleep Center, Sleep Technologist, USVI

• Conduct diagnostic and treatment sleep testing on adult and pediatric patients with potential sleep disorders
• Desensitize SDB patients to treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
• Educated SDB patients on the use of CPAP.

2005-present: High Plains Sleep Disorders Center, Sleep Technologist, Clovis, NM

• Score diagnostic and treatment sleep studies.

Professional Experience
2015-2018: Sleep & Human Health Institute

• Research Consultant

2014-2018: University of New Mexico Hospital, Sleep Disorders Center, Sleep Technologist, Albuquerque, NM

• Conducted diagnostic and treatment sleep testing on adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients with potential sleep disorders
• Desensitized SDB patients to treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
• Educated SDB patients on the use of CPAP.

2012-2014: Quality Sleep Solutions, Inc., Chief Operating Officer, Rio Rancho, NM

• Implemented high efficiency operational infrastructure in order to reduce company overhead and gave providers better tools to provide high quality sleep medicine care. Infrastructure components included: electronic medical records; billing and inventory software; VoIP telecommunication; and cloud computing.

2010-2012: Polysomnography Practice Advisory Committee, Board Member, New Mexico Medical Board, Santa Fe, NM

• Advised NM Medical Board on issues associated with the practice of polysomnography in NM.

2005-2012: Quality Sleep Solutions, Inc., Chairman & CEO, Rio Rancho, NM

• Raised capital and directed business development, marketing, and growth to accomplish the mission of providing high quality sleep medicine care in rural and underserved areas in NM.

2007-2010: The Rio Rancho Sleep Center, Center Manager, Rio Rancho, NM

• Managed day to day operations of the sleep medical center.

2005-2006: Sleep & Human Health Institute, Research Consultant, Albuquerque, NM

2005-2010: New Mexico Center for Clinical & Behavioral Sleep Medicine, Center Manager, Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, Alamogordo, NM

• Managed day to day operations of the sleep medical center.

2008-2010: Ruidoso Sleep Center, Center Manager, Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, Ruidoso, NM

• Managed day to day operations of the sleep medical center.

2002-2005: Associate Clinical Director, Maimonides Sleep Arts & Sciences, Ltd, Albuquerque, NM.

• Directed sleep center laboratory and clinical operations.

2002-2005: Associate Research Director, Sleep & Human Health Institute, Albuquerque, NM

• Directed sleep medicine research operations and secured funding through grant writing and foundation presentations.

1998-2002: Chief Research Assistant & Chief Polysomnographic Research Technologist, Sleep and Human Health Institute and University of New Mexico
Sleep Research, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

• Desensitized trauma survivors with sleep-disordered breathing to treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
• Educated trauma survivors with SDB about the use of CPAP.
• Conducted sleep disorders consultation sessions to educate trauma survivors on sleep disorders.
• Managed patient care for trauma survivors who need sleep disorders treatment.
• Conducted studies, data analysis, data organization, and data interpretation for various research projects.
• Investigated new ways to treat nightmare, insomnia, and intrinsic sleep disorders in trauma survivors and other sleep disorders patients.
• Investigated new ways to monitor and evaluate sleep breathing physiology in patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
• Co-authored and published research papers on the prevalence and treatment of Sleep Disorders in PTSD patients and other sleep disorders patients.

1999-2001: Polysomnographic Technologist, New Mexico Center for Sleep Medicine, Lovelace Health Systems, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

• Conducted diagnostic and treatment sleep testing on patients with potential sleep disorders.
• Desensitized SDB patients to treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
• Educated SDB patients on the use of CPAP.

1999: Student Laboratory Technician, UNM Neuroscience Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.

• Conducted genetic assays for genetic testing of drug and alcohol addiction in mice.
• Performed surgical profusion on mice to extract brain tissue for genetic testing of drug and alcohol addiction.

1997-1999: Student Assistant, University Hospital Sleep Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Performed administrative tasks.

1997-1998: Student Assistant, Neurodiagnostics, UNM HSC, Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Performed administrative tasks.

Certifications
Licensed Polysomnographic Technologist, New Mexico, 2010-present, License #PT2010-0061

Registered Polysomnographic Technologist, 2003-present

Basic Life Support Certified

Education
BS, Biology and Psychology, University of New Mexico, 2002

AAS, Biology, New Mexico State University—Alamogordo, 1997

Internships
Sleep Medicine, University of New Mexico, Sleep Research Center, 1999-2000

Honors
New Mexico State University, Fresh. and Soph. Honors

Golden Key National Honor Society

Organizations
American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Member, 2000-present

American Association of Sleep Technologists, Member, 2004-present

New Mexico Sleep Society, Member, 2006-present

Association for the Study of Dreams, Member, 2000

Acknowledgments
Sound Sleep, Sound Mind: 7 Keys to Sleeping through the Night. Barry Krakow, MD, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York. October, 2007

Insomnia Cures: Sleep Hygiene, Practice Makes Permanent. Barry Krakow, M.D. The New Sleepy Times. January 2002.

Research Papers

Krakow B, Ulibarri V, Sanchez J, Melendrez, D; 2012. Driving On "Auto": Hands-On is More Effective Than Hands-Free, Journal of clinical sleep medicine, 8(3):343-4.

Krakow; Ulibarri; Melendrez; Togami; Haynes. 2008. A Daytime, Abbreviated Cardio-Respiratory Sleep Study (CPT 95807-52) To Acclimate Insomnia Patients with Sleep Disordered Breathing to Positive Airway Pressure (PAP-NAP) Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

Krakow B, Melendrez DC, Sisley B, Warner TD, Krakow JK, Leahigh L, Lee SA. 2006. Nasal dilator strip therapy in the treatment of chronic sleep maintenance insomnia and suspected sleep-disordered breathing: a randomized, controlled trial. Sleep and Breathing 10(1): 16-28.

Krakow B, Melendrez DC, Warner TD, Clark JO, Sisley BN, Dorin R, Harper R, Leahigh LK, Lee SA, Sklar D, Hollifield M. 2006. Signs and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in trauma survivors: a matched comparison with classic sleep apnea patients. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.

Krakow B, Haynes PL, Warner TD, Santana E, Melendrez DC, Johnston L, Hollifield, M, Sisley B, Koss, M, Shafer, L. 2004. Nightmares, insomnia, and sleep-disordered breathing in fire evacuees seeking treatment for posttraumatic sleep disturbance. Journal of Traumatic Stress. 17 (3): 257-268.

Krakow B, Melendrez D, Sisley B, Warner TD, Krakow J. 2004. Nasal dilator strip therapy for chronic sleep maintenance insomnia: a case series. Sleep and Breathing 8: 133-40.

Krakow B, Melendrez DC, Lee SA, Warner TD, Clark JO, Sklar D. 2004. Refractory insomnia and sleep-disordered breathing: a pilot study. Sleep & Breathing 8(1): (in press).

Krakow B, Haynes PL, Warner TD, Santana E, Melendrez DC, Johnston L, Hollifield, M, Sisley B, Koss, M, Shafer, L. 2004. Nightmares, insomnia, and sleep-disordered breathing in fire evacuees seeking treatment for posttraumatic sleep disturbance. Journal of Traumatic Stress 17:257-268.

Krakow B, Melendrez D, Haynes P. 2003. Integrating psychosocial and biomedical CPAP adherence models. Sleep Medicine Reviews 7(5):xxxx

Chung KF, Krakow B, Melendrez D, Warner TD, Sisley B. 2003. Relationships between insomnia and sleep-disordered breathing. Chest 123: 310-313. [Letter & Author Reply]

Krakow B, Melendrez D, Warner TD, Dorin R, Harper R, Hollifield M. 2002. To breathe, perchance to sleep: sleep-disordered breathing and chronic insomnia among trauma survivors. Sleep and Breathing 6(4):189-198.

Krakow B, Melendrez DC, Johnston LG, Clark JO, Santana EM, Warner TD, Hollifield MA, Schrader R, Sisley BN, Lee SA. Sleep dynamic therapy for Cerro Grande Fire evacuees with posttraumatic stress symptoms: a preliminary report. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 63:673-684.

Krakow, Melendrez, Johnston, Clark, Pacheco, Warner, Pedersen, Koss, Hollifield, Schrader. 2002. Sleep-disordered breathing, psychiatric distress, and quality of life impairment in sexual assault survivors. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 190:442-452.

Krakow B, Melendrez D, Ferreira E, Clark J, Warner TD, Sisley B, Sklar D. 2001. Prevalence of insomnia symptoms in sleep-disordered breathing patients. CHEST 121:1923-1929.

Krakow B, Johnston L, Melendrez D, Hollifield M, Warner TD, Herlan M, Chavez-Kennedy D. 2001. An open-label trial of evidenced-based cognitive-behavioral therapies for nightmares and insomnia in crime victims with PTSD. American Journal of Psychiatry 158:2043-2047.

Krakow B, Germain A, Warner TD, Schrader R , Koss M, Hollifield M, Tandberg D, Melendrez D, Johnston, L. 2001. The relationship of sleep quality and posttraumatic stress to potential sleep disorders in sexual assault survivors with nightmares, insomnia and PTSD. J of Traumatic Stress 14:647-665.

Krakow B, Hollifield M, Johnston L, Koss M, Schrader R, Warner TD, Tandberg D, Lauriello J, McBride L, Cutchen L, Cheng D, Emmons S, Germain A, Melendrez D, Sandoval D, Prince H. 2001. Imagery rehearsal therapy for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder. The Journal of the American Medical Association 286:537-545.

Krakow B, Melendrez D, Pedersen B, Johnston L, Hollifield M, Germain A, Koss M, Warner TD, Schrader R. 2001. Complex insomnia: insomnia and sleep-disordered breathing in a consecutive series of crime victims with nightmares and PTSD Biological Psychiatry, 49(11):948-953.

Krakow B, Artar A, Warner TD, Melendrez D, Johnston L, Hollifield M, Germain A, Koss M. 2000. Sleep disorder, depression, and suicidality in female sexual assault survivors. Crisis—The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention 21(4):163-170.

Krakow B, Lowry C, Germain A, Gaddy L, Hollifield M, Koss M, Tandberg D, Johnston L, Melendrez D. 2000. A retrospective study on improvements in nightmares and posttraumatic stress disorder following treatment for co-morbid sleep-disordered breathing. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 49(5):291-298.

Recent Peer-Reviewed Research Abstracts

Krakow B, Melendrez D, 2007. Respiratory Disturbance Index In Chronic Insomnia Patients Without Sleep Breathing Symptoms. Sleep 30 (Suppl) : A272

Ulibarri V, Krakow B, Melendrez D, Shara K, Laura T, 2007. A Pilot Study On A Brief, Daytime Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy Procedure To Enhance PAP Adherence. Sleep 30 (Suppl) : A347

Haynes PL, Krakow B, Warner TD, Melendrez D, Hollifield M, Koss M. 2003. PTSD: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or Posttraumatic Sleep Disorders? Sleep 26 (Suppl): A958.

Krakow B, Melendrez D, Sisley BN, Warner TD, Lee SA, Leahigh LK. 2003. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Nasal Dilator Strip Therapy for Sleep Maintenance Insomnia. Sleep 26 (Suppl): A761.

Krakow, B, Melendrez D, Warner TD, Clark JO, Sisley BN, Leahigh LK, Lee SA. 2003. Atypical Clinical Presentations Of Sleep-Disordered Breathing Among Trauma Survivors. Sleep 26 (Suppl): A554.

Melendrez DC, Krakow B, Lee SA, Sisley BN, Krakow J, Leahigh LK. 2003. Sleep-Disordered Breathing Prevalence In Non-Treatment Seeking Crime Victims. Sleep 26 (Suppl): A954.

Melendrez DC, Krakow B, Sisley BN, Krakow J. 2003. Sleep-Disordered Breathing Status Predicts Outcomes Among Insomnia Patients Receiving Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Sleep 26 (Suppl): A750.

Sisley BN, Krakow B, Melendrez DC, Lee SA, Leahigh LK. 2003. Screening for Complex Insomnia (Insomnia plus Sleep-Disordered Breathing) in an Occupational Health Setting. Sleep 26 (Suppl): A751.

Krakow BJ, Melendrez D, Johnston L, Clark JO, Santana E, Warner TD, Hollifield M, Sisley B, Lee S. 2002. Sleep dynamic therapy for posttraumatic insomnia. Sleep 25 (Suppl):A240.

Krakow BJ, Melendrez D, Clark JO. 2002. Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in traumatized disaster survivors. Sleep 25 (Suppl):A15

Melendrez DC, Krakow BJ, Clark JO. 2002. Screening for sleep-disordered breathing in complex insomnia patients. Sleep 25 (Suppl):A242.

Melendrez DC, Krakow BJ, Hall MD. 2002. A new airflow sensor for the detection of flow limitation in sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep 25 (Suppl):A222.

Melendrez D, Krakow B, Johnston L, Sisley B, Warner TD. A prospective study on the treatment of “complex insomnia”¬¬¬—insomnia plus sleep disordered breathing—in a small series of crime victims with PTSD. Sleep 24 (Suppl):A120.

Krakow B, Melendrez D, Fereirra E, Clark J, Sisley B, Warner TD, Sklar D. Prevalence of insomnia symptoms in a random sample of SDB patients. Sleep 24 (Suppl):A343.

Krakow B, Melendrez D, Santana E, Johnston L, Sisley B, Hollifield M. Prevalence and timing of sleep disturbance in Cerro Grande Firestorm victims. Sleep 24 (Suppl):A394.

Artar A, Krakow B, Warner TD, Melendrez D, Johnston L. 2000. Suicidality correlates with poor sleep quality, nightmares, and PTSD in sexual assault survivors. Sleep 23 (Suppl #2): A358

Melendrez D, Krakow B, Pedersen B, Hollifield M, Johnston L, Germain A, Koss M. 2000. Sleep-disordered breathing in twenty consecutive crime victims presenting for nightmare and insomnia treatment: a preliminary report. Sleep 23 (Suppl #2):A257.

Johnston L, Krakow B, Melendrez D, Herlan M, Hollifield M, Chavez-Kennedy D. 2000. Treatment of nightmares and insomnia in crime victims. Sleep 23 (Suppl #2): A316.

Melendrez D, Krakow B, Johnston L, Pedersen B, Chavez-Kennedy D. 2000. Prevalence of "complex insomnia"—insomnia plus sleep-disordered breathing—in crime victims with PTSD. Sleep 23 (Suppl #2):A316.

Johnston L, Krakow B, Melendrez D, Chavez-Kennedy D. 2000. Sleep behaviors and symptoms in acutely traumatized individuals. Sleep 23 (Suppl #2): A228.

Posters and Presentations

Presentation, “Finding the Optimal Pressure.” Lung Disease Symposium, New Mexico Thoracic Society 2017, Albuquerque, NM

Workshop, “Adult Sleep Disorders” Winterfest - New Mexico Society for Respiratory Care 2016, Ruidoso, NM

Workshop, “Pediatric Sleep Disorders” Winterfest - New Mexico Society for Respiratory Care 2016, Ruidoso, NM

Workshop, “Advanced Mask Desensitization: Overcoming the Mask Interface of CPAP Therapy.” Winterfest - New Mexico Society for Respiratory Care 2007, Ruidoso, NM

Workshop, “Advanced Diagnosis and Treatment Aspects of Sleep-Disordered Breathing.” Winterfest – New Mexico Society for Respiratory Care 2006, Ruidoso, NM

Presentation, “The Relationship Between Sleep Disorders and Psychiatric Distress.” APT June 2003

Presentation, "Assessment & Treatment of Sleep Disorders in Trauma Patients." Trauma Consortium Workshop, St. Vincent Hospital, New York, NY April 2002.

Workshop, “Nightmares and Sleep Disorders.” ASD July 15, 2001. Santa Cruz, CA.

Abstract Presentation, “A prospective study on the treatment of “complex insomnia”¬¬¬—insomnia plus sleep disordered breathing—in a small series of crime victims with PTSD.” APSS June 10, 2001. Chicago, IL.

Presentation, “The Relationship Between Nightmares and Sleep-Disordered Breathing.” APSS Dream Section Meeting June 9, 2001. Chicago, IL.

Workshop, “Decreasing PTSD Symptom Severity through the Direct Treatment of Sleep Disorders.” Southwest Psychiatry Workshop November 2000, Albuquerque, NM.

Presentation, “The Association of Potential Sleep Disorders on Psychiatric Distress in PTSD Patients.” ASD July 2000. Washington, DC.

Poster, “Sleep-disordered breathing in twenty consecutive crime victims presenting for nightmare and insomnia treatment: a preliminary report.” APSS June 2000. Las Vegas, NV.

Poster, “Prevalence of "complex insomnia"—insomnia plus sleep-disordered breathing—in crime victims with PTSD.” APSS June 2000. Las Vegas, NV.

Research Papers In Preparation

Krakow, Melendrez, Clark et al. Atypical sleep-disordered breathing presentations in crime victims with PTSD: a controlled comparison with classic sleep apnea patients.

Melendrez, Krakow et al. Prospective evaluation of CPAP and oral appliance treatment for a consecutive series of crime victims with sleep-disordered breathing, nightmares, insomnia and PTSD.

Melendrez, Krakow et al. Situational versus theoretical sleepiness in sleep-disordered breathing patients with and without co-morbid insomnia.

Melendrez, Krakow et al. Prevalence of nightmares and disturbing dreams in a random sample of sleep-disordered breathing patients.

Kelli H. Smolarz, PA-C

Physician Assistant
Clinical Supervisor

Kelli H Smolarz, PA-C is a certified physician assistant. She attended undergrad at Texas A&M University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Biomedical Science. She obtained her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. She continued her studies by completing the Norwalk Hospital/Yale University School of Medicine PA Surgical Residency program, where she received the Linda Brandt Memorial Award for compassion and dedication to patient care as well as the Medical Writing Award.

Before joining the team at Virgin Islands ENT, Kelli spent over 5 years at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas in the Department of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, alongside the most well-respected surgeons in their field. She has extensive experience in both the outpatient clinical setting as well as the operating room.

Kelli is enthusiast about her role in the VI ENT team as Clinical Supervisor and is committed to continuing a high standard of patient care for the Virgin Islands community.