Patience is a trait Michael S. Orangias, M.D., finds important when he is treating children for sleep issues.

“It’s important to be able to not only assess a patient, but also to listen carefully and address parental concerns,” said Dr. Orangias, who practices at Norton Children’s Sleep Medicine and Norton Children’s Pulmonology, both affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine.

Dr. Orangias trained in both internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine before continuing specialty training in pediatric pulmonology at UofL. He then did additional specialty training in sleep medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago.

“I’m trained in both internal medicine and pediatrics, but the resilience, hopes, dreams, and possibilities that children have drew me to pursue further subspeciality training in pediatrics,” Dr. Orangias said.

Dr. Orangias began his career as a musician. After graduating with a music degree from UofL, he taught, performed and recorded music.

Dr. Orangias transitioned from music into medicine to engage in the challenges and rewards of being a physician.

“I feel it’s meaningful work and interesting in that it’s mentally stimulating and continually changing,” he said. “But it’s also a way to help others and form meaningful bonds with people who put their trust in you during a time of need.”

Dr. Orangias said he initially chose pulmonology because it incorporates multiple disciplines and a pulmonologist gets to work with a diverse group of patients, and then sleep medicine because it is intimately tied to pulmonary medicine. For example, the leading cause of sleep issues in children and adolescents is obstructive sleep apnea, and people with asthma are more likely to have sleep apnea.

He came back to Louisville from his fellowship training in Chicago because the city is home, and he feels a bond with the mentors who trained him.

“The camaraderie and support among our group is genuine and hard to find,” Dr. Orangias said.

Dr. Orangias enjoys teaching and participating in research.

And he still enjoys playing music.

“I’m not out of music. I’ll always be a musician,” he said. “I continue to write, play and record when time allows. Playing music has allowed me to create lifelong friends and bonds.”

When he’s not working, Dr. Orangias also enjoys being active outside and spending time with his wife, family and dogs.