Benjamin Hughes, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Practice, Pediatrics-Pulmonary Medicine
Medical School
- MD, University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine (2009)
Undergraduate School
- BS, University of Texas–Austin (TX) (2005)
- BA, University of Texas–Austin (TX) (2008)
Residency
- University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program, Pediatrics (2012)
Fellowships
- University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program, Pediatric Pulmonology (2017)
- National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Sleep Medicine (2016)
Languages
English, SpanishDepartment
Pediatrics-Pulmonary MedicineProfessional Titles
- Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado
Research Interests
The majestic Rocky Mountains brought me to Colorado, and the same mountains inspire my research interests focusing on the impacts of altitude on sleep and breathing in children. A large number of babies and children in Colorado live at high altitude, and particularly given the lack of high-altitude sleep testing for kids, it is important to know how altitude affects children in order to deliver the best care possible. My research and clinical interests aim to fill gaps in our knowledge of altitude and sleep breathing disorders.Publications
- Hughes BH, Brinton JT, Ingram DG, Halbower AC. The Impact of Altitude on Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children Dwelling at High Altitude: A Crossover Study. Sleep. 2017 Sep 1;40(9). PubMed PMID: 28934528
- Hughes BH, Polnitsky CA, Lee-Chiong T. Sleep-related breathing disorders: Clinical features and evaluation. In: Avidan AY, Barkoukis TJ, editors. Review of Sleep Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2017.
- Hughes BH. Getting Personal with Down Syndrome and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2018 Apr 15;14(4):501-502. PubMed PMID: 29609725
- Hughes BH, Brinton JT, Ingram DG, Halbower AC. The Impact of Altitude on Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children Dwelling at High Altitude: A Crossover Study. Sleep. 2017 Sep 1;40(9). PubMed PMID: 28934528
- Hughes BH. The impact of altitude on sleep-related breathing disorders in infants and children. Curr Sleep Medicine Rep 2019;5(2):41-48.
Practice Locations
Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus13123 East 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-777-1234
Children's Hospital Colorado - Colorado Springs
4090 Briargate Pkwy
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
719-305-1234
Hospital Affiliation
- Children's Hospital Colorado
Specialty Information
Specialties- Pediatric Pulmonology, Board Certification (2018, 2018)
- Sleep Medicine, Board Certification (2018, 2018)
- Pediatrics, Board Certification (2013, 2013)
- Qualified Bilingual Staff (QBS) Certified in English and Spanish, Certificate (0001)
- Lungs and Breathing - Asthma
- Lungs and Breathing
- Lungs and Breathing - Chronic Lung Disease of Prematurity (Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia)
- Lungs and Breathing - Chronic Mechanical Ventilation
- Lungs and Breathing - Cystic Fibrosis
- Lungs and Breathing - Granulomatous Lung Disease
- Lungs and Breathing - Interstitial Lung Disease
- Lungs and Breathing - Lung Disease
- Lungs and Breathing - Neonatal Lung Diseases
- Lungs and Breathing - Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Lungs and Breathing - Pulmonary Hypertension
- Lungs and Breathing - Tracheostomy Dependence
- Lungs and Breathing - Lung Development
Care Philosophy
When my 4-year-old son asks what I do at work, I am struck by how lucky I am to reply, “I help kids breathe and sleep better.” Breathing and sleep are fundamental to health and happiness, and it is a tremendous privilege to care for children with breathing and sleep disorders in a wide range of settings, from the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units to outpatient clinic, the sleep laboratory, and the operating room. I aim to be the best part of a family's worst day--when their child is sick--and to build successful long-term relationships with families based on respect, empathy, and shared decision-making to pursue the goal of healthy breathing and sleep for each child. I am passionate about delivering high quality care that is both effective and accessible. To bring such care to children with breathing and sleep disorders in the western Colorado region, I have built and expanded clinical programs in Grand Junction, Durango, and Montrose, and I embrace technologies such as telemedicine to bring care to the patient instead of relying on the patient and family to travel long distances to access care. I strive to partner with families and primary care providers to achieve the best result for each child, no matter where they live. There are many things I love about working at Children’s Hospital Colorado, but what stands out most is the incredible teamwork that I am privileged to witness every day. In many cases, it really does "take a village", and I am constantly humbled by the ways that other doctors and advanced practice providers, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other team members continuously step up on behalf of the children whose care is entrusted to us.
When my 4-year-old son asks what I do at work, I am struck by how lucky I am to reply, “I help kids breathe and sleep better.” Breathing and sleep are fundamental to health and happiness, and it is a tremendous privilege to care for children with breathing and sleep disorders in a wide range of settings, from the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units to outpatient clinic, the sleep laboratory, and the operating room. I aim to be the best part of a family's worst day--when their child is sick--and to build successful long-term relationships with families based on respect, empathy, and shared decision-making to pursue the goal of healthy breathing and sleep for each child. I am passionate about delivering high quality care that is both effective and accessible. To bring such care to children with breathing and sleep disorders in the western Colorado region, I have built and expanded clinical programs in Grand Junction, Durango, and Montrose, and I embrace technologies such as telemedicine to bring care to the patient instead of relying on the patient and family to travel long distances to access care. I strive to partner with families and primary care providers to achieve the best result for each child, no matter where they live. There are many things I love about working at Children’s Hospital Colorado, but what stands out most is the incredible teamwork that I am privileged to witness every day. In many cases, it really does "take a village", and I am constantly humbled by the ways that other doctors and advanced practice providers, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other team members continuously step up on behalf of the children whose care is entrusted to us.
Personal Interests
My wife and I have 3 young children (all 4 years and under as of this writing!), so we stay very busy keeping up with them. I am especially excited to do my best Ted Lasso impersonation as head coach of my son’s U5 (under-5) soccer team this year. Outside of work, I enjoy running, hiking, gardening, roasting coffee, and spending time with my amazing wife and kids.
My wife and I have 3 young children (all 4 years and under as of this writing!), so we stay very busy keeping up with them. I am especially excited to do my best Ted Lasso impersonation as head coach of my son’s U5 (under-5) soccer team this year. Outside of work, I enjoy running, hiking, gardening, roasting coffee, and spending time with my amazing wife and kids.