Our Team
Eduardo J. Onate, M.D.
Dr. Onate is a board-certified Internal medicine and sleep medicine physician with extensive experience in adult and pediatric sleep disorders. He earned his medical degree in 2009 from Universided Dr. Jose Matias Delgado, in El Salvador. He went on to complete his Internal Medicine residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, graduating in 2015, followed by a fellowship in Sleep Medicine at Tulane University in New Orleans in 2016.
With deep expertise in a wide range of sleep conditions, Dr. Onate has a special interest in the diagnosis and management of narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, insomnia, and sleep-disordered breathing. He is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and is trained in managing sleep disorders at high altitudes, including unique presentations in both adult and pediatric populations.
During his time in El Paso, Dr. Onate served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Texas Tech University, where he was actively involved in training residents and medical students. He also founded and served as Medical Director of a sleep clinic focused on improving access to care in underserved communities.
He later relocated to Colorado, where he gained further experience in high-altitude sleep medicine, refining his skills in complex sleep disorder management. Dr. Onate has recently moved to Tucson to partner with Arizona Sleep Center and is eager to serve the local community with compassionate, evidence-based care.
Richard P. Knudsen, M.D.
Dr Knudsen has a unique background with multispecialty training. He is board certified in Sleep Medicine and Neurology/Psychiatry and Neurophysiology and Pediatrics and Epileptology. He is published in various peer-reviewed resources. He is repeatedly invited to lecture at major Society gatherings. He is comfortable in offering care to all age groups. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California. He completed his medical degree at the University of Cincinnati. Richard was double promoted in Pediatrics and finished his residency in that specialty at the University of California. He returned to Cincinnati and served as Chief Resident in Pediatric Neurology at the esteemed Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Dr. Knudsen furthered his training with completion of a post-doctoral Fellowship- at the respected University of Pittsburgh -within the field of pediatric epileptology and discipline of advanced clinical neurophysiology. Dr. Knudsen has been focusing on Sleep Health with an integrative approach. He also speaks Spanish.
Aynur Okcay, M.D.
Dr Okcay completed a comprehensive Sleep Medicine Fellowship program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The Center for Sleep Medicine at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota is one of the largest sleep medicine facilities in the United States. She has extensive research background at Mayo Clinic focusing on cardiovascular aspect of sleep disordered breathing. Dr Okcay has published several papers and a book chapter and gave presentations in both USA and international Sleep Medicine Conferences. Having a Primary Care background, Dr Okcay realizes an inseparable relationship between healthy sleep and overall well-being. Dr Okcay listens closely to her patients to create a unique plan that will fit the individual patient's lifestyle and improve the quality of their sleep. She has special interest in Integrative/Functional Medicine so as to not only improve but also prevent health problems. She is originally from Turkiye; moved to USA as soon as she graduated from Medical School, and she completed all her advanced training in the USA for her residency and fellowship.
Sharon Bettinger, M.S., R.D., PA-C
Sharon completed her education in Physician Assistant studies with a Masters Degree at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ. She also has her Bachelors Degree in Biology working with the Colorado Division of Wildlife while getting a Masters Degree in Nutritional Biochemistry. She is a Registered Dietitian who worked in both nutrition support and education at both Banner hospital and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. As a Physician Assistant, she has been practicing primarily in Sleep Medicine in the beautiful Prescott area. ​She has a desire to provide integrative care in maximizing optimal sleep health for all patients.
Gregory Nelson, R.R.T.
Gregory Nelson is a Registered Respiratory Therapist specializing in CPAP and BiPAP. Gregory excels at providing his patients with the one-on-one care that enables them to be successful with their sleep therapy. Gregory also serves on the Board of Advisors for Pima Medical Institute. He has also hosted several classes for hospice nurses, teaching them about basic respiratory care relating to oxygen, and CPAP/BIPAP which has aided them with their continued education and patient care techniques. ​Gregory’s passion for patient care is what drives him to providing the most knowledgeable and personable one-on-one care. He strives to provide the best care possible at Arizona Sleep Center for many more years to come.
Jesse Tafoya, RRT, BSRT, MHA
With over two decades of distinguished clinical expertise, Jesse Tafoya is a highly accomplished Respiratory Therapist and Sleep Specialist dedicated to advancing patient outcomes in sleep health. Renowned for his ability to translate complex medical concepts into clear, actionable guidance, Jesse empowers patients to understand sleep apnea and adopt effective therapeutic solutions that promote restorative, high-quality sleep. Serving on two esteemed advisory boards, Jesse collaborates with industry leaders to evaluate and implement cutting-edge technologies that enhance care for sleep patients. His unwavering passion for helping individuals achieve the full benefits of PAP therapy fuels his commitment to patient education, engagement, and adherence. Recognized for exceptional communication skills and a steadfast dedication to excellence, Jesse consistently delivers superior patient satisfaction and personalized, compassionate care.
