We had the good fortune of connecting with Erela Katz Rappaport and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erela Katz, how does your business help the community?
My work is devoted to transforming health at its foundation. As a dentist specializing in sleep medicine, I help people breathe better, sleep deeper, and ultimately protect their long-term brain health. Sleep apnea is one of the most overlooked—and most dangerous—conditions affecting millions. By diagnosing and treating it early, I’m not just improving sleep; I’m reducing risks for dementia, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses that burden families and communities.

I also make education a priority. Through public talks, webinars, and my book Breathe Easy, Sleep Deep, I empower people with science-backed knowledge they can use immediately to improve their health. Many of my patients go on to help their spouses, children, and coworkers recognize symptoms and seek care, creating a ripple effect of awareness.

Ultimately, my business supports a healthier, more resilient community—one where people wake up energized, think more clearly, perform at their best, and age with confidence. My goal is simple: better sleep, better lives, and a better future for all of us.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Please tell us more about your business…

I’m a dentist who specializes in sleep medicine, and my business is built around a simple but powerful mission: helping people breathe better, sleep deeper, and protect their long-term brain health. While dentistry traditionally focuses on teeth, I focus on the airway — the place where breathing, sleep, and overall health truly begin. My practice blends dentistry, sleep medicine, myofunctional therapy, and cutting-edge science to treat obstructive sleep apnea in a way that’s comfortable, personalized, and rooted in whole-body wellness.

What sets me apart?
I don’t just make dental devices. I help patients transform their lives. My work sits at the intersection of oral health, sleep health, and cognitive decline — a space that most people don’t even realize exists. I’m especially proud of how many patients come in exhausted and discouraged and leave sleeping better, thinking more clearly, and feeling hopeful again. That’s the magic that keeps me excited every single day.

I’m also passionate about education. Whether I’m giving a talk, writing an article, or sharing research from journals like Neurology, JAMA Pediatrics, and the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, my goal is always to empower people with knowledge that could save their lives — or their brain function. My book, Breathe Easy, Sleep Deep, is an extension of that mission.

How did I get here? Was it easy?
Not at all — and I’m grateful for that. Dental sleep medicine isn’t a traditional path, so I had to build much of it from scratch: new training, new systems, new workflows, and a new way of thinking about patient care. There was confusion, trial and error, and many days where I felt like I was pushing a boulder uphill. But I believed deeply in the work, and that belief carried me.

I also learned from incredible mentors, including leaders in the field and forward-thinking organizations that helped shape my vision. Each challenge forced me to become more resourceful, more innovative, and more committed to advocating for patients who desperately needed answers.

What are the lessons I’ve learned?

Trust your instincts — especially when they push you in an unconventional direction.

Lead with science, but never forget the human story behind every test result.

Stay curious, stay humble, and never stop learning.

And most importantly: if you want to change lives, you have to be willing to challenge the status quo.

What do I want the world to know about my brand and story?
My practice is built on the belief that better breathing and better sleep can change everything — your energy, your mood, your performance, your relationships, and even your long-term cognitive health. I want the world to know that sleep apnea is not just snoring or daytime fatigue; it’s a silent threat that can double the risk of dementia and impact every system in the body. But it’s also treatable, and no one has to face it alone.

My brand stands for hope, clarity, and scientifically grounded care. My story is about following a calling to help people reclaim their health from the inside out — starting with the airway.

If people remember anything about me, I hope it’s this: I’m here to help you breathe better, sleep deeper, and live the vibrant, healthy life you were meant to live.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1 – La Jolla
Walk La Jolla Cove, visit the sea lions, and enjoy dinner at George’s or Duke’s.

Day 2 – Coronado
Ferry to Coronado, explore the Hotel Del, and end with sunset drinks on the Sun Deck.

Day 3 – Balboa Park & Little Italy
Stroll Balboa Park’s gardens and museums, lunch at The Prado, then dinner in Little Italy at Juniper & Ivy or Born & Raised.

Day 4 – Encinitas
Breakfast at Claire’s, wander Cedros Design District and the Botanic Garden, and enjoy a seaside dinner at Pacific Coast Grill.

Day 5 – San Diego Safari Park
Spend the day exploring the Safari Park — the Africa Tram, Tiger Trail, and Walkabout Australia are incredible.
Dinner nearby at Vintana Wine + Dine for gorgeous views.

Day 6 – Mission Bay & Sunset Cliffs
Bike Mission Bay, lunch at Miss B’s, then head to Sunset Cliffs for a breathtaking sundown.

Day 7 – Point Loma & Downtown
Visit Cabrillo National Monument, enjoy lunch at Liberty Public Market, stroll Seaport Village, and wrap with a waterfront dinner at Coasterra.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe a tremendous part of my journey to the guidance and inspiration I’ve received along the way, and one person I absolutely have to spotlight is Michael Cowen, along with the entire team at Awaken2Sleep. Their passion for elevating sleep medicine within dentistry has been nothing short of transformational for me.

Michael’s teaching, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to patient-centered care pushed me to think bigger, lead with purpose, and refine the way I approach both diagnosis and treatment. Awaken2Sleep has created a community where dentists can grow, collaborate, and truly make a difference in the lives of patients who are suffering silently. That kind of impact is rare — and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of it.

Their influence helped shape the path I’m on today, and I carry that forward in every patient I help, every talk I give, and everything I create. This shoutout is my way of saying: thank you for lighting the way and raising the bar for all of us in dental sleep medicine.

Website: https://chsleepsocal.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erela-katz-rappaport-d-m-d-d-abdsm-b3b140221/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CompleteHealthSleepSoCal

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