Richard P. Allen, PhD was a man of extraordinary wisdom, kindness, empathy and humility. He was a beloved father, husband, friend, colleague, teacher, mentor and clinician-scientist, who in addition to establishing the first Sleep Center and Center for Restless Legs Syndrome at Johns Hopkins, made an enormous impact on patients around the world through his pioneering work on Restless Legs Syndrome. He was one of the most important scientists in the study of Restless Legs Syndrome, spearheading groundbreaking discoveries regarding the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder, including the recognition of the genetic component of the disorder, long before it was widely accepted.
As a leader in the field of sleep medicine, he gave generously of his time and expertise through his service as President of the World Association of Sleep Medicine (now World Sleep Society) and as Chair of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group and the Medical Advisory Board for the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.
We believe the most fitting way to honor Richard’s memory and lifetime of service and contributions to sleep research is by establishing a named endowed lectureship at Johns Hopkins, the place where he got his start in the field of sleep medicine and carried out all of his pioneering work.
Since 2015, the sleep research community at Johns Hopkins has hosted the annual Johns Hopkins Sleep & Circadian Research Day, which invites researchers from across the region to present their work, network and collaborate. A key aim of this event is to promote the career development of trainees, a mission that was vitally important to Richard.
With your generous support, we plan to raise $100,000 to name and endow the keynote lecture for this event, the Richard P. Allen Endowed Lectureship in Sleep and Circadian Rhythms. Attaching Richard’s name to this prominent lecture will ensure that his impact on the sleep medicine field is never forgotten, as income from this endowment will be used to provide support in perpetuity for this lectureship and to foster the development of trainees in sleep and circadian research.
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