Today, the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) announced the winner of its A-STEP/STAR Educational Grant Program for individuals interested in pursuing a career in sleep technology and/or those who are currently working as sleep technicians who would like to become a registered polysomnographic technologist (RPSGT). Beatrice Blanch, a sleep physiologist at Auckland City Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand was selected out of more than 40 applications. Applicants represented 20 U.S. states and spanned the globe, including countries such as New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Qatar, Egypt, India, and Canada.
“At Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand’s largest public hospital, Beatrice has seen firsthand how untreated sleep disorders can deepen existing health inequities—particularly among underserved Māori and Pacific communities,” said Board member Michelle DiMaria, BS, RRT, RPSGT, Chair of the Scholarship Committee. “Driven by a passion for health equity and the transformative power of education, she is committed to empowering patients through knowledge and aims to create accessible, supportive spaces for those living with sleep disorders. Earning the RPSGT credential will further her impact in the field of sleep health.”
Beatrice will receive a grant of up to $800 towards an A-STEP or STAR designated educational program.
The application window was open from February 26 through March 26, 2025. The BRPT’s Scholarship Committee reviewed all applications through a carefully crafted rubric to determine the best qualified applicant.
By Lydia Pelliccia
