About Us

Dr. Anil Kumar Puri is a distinguished physician with board certifications in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, and Echocardiography, with a specialty focus in Sleep Medicine.

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A graduate of the Medical College of Georgia, Dr. Puri completed his Internal Medicine residency and advanced fellowships in both Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the University of Florida. His multidisciplinary training positions him as a leader in the diagnosis and management of complex respiratory and sleep-related disorders.

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As Medical Director of the National Institute for Health Technology (NIHT), Dr. Puri brings decades of clinical expertise and a deep commitment to education. He plays a vital role in shaping the program’s clinical standards, ensuring that students receive the most up-to-date, patient-centered training in sleep technology and beyond.

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“We’re not just training sleep technologists—we’re building the next generation of healthcare professionals with precision, compassion, and integrity.”
— Dr. Anil K. Puri

Patricia Copeland brings over four decades of healthcare experience and a deep passion for patient care to her role as Program Director at the National Institute for Health Technology (NIHT).

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She began her career in neurodiagnostics and cardiology, serving in roles such as EEG technologist, Holter monitor and stress testing technician, telemetry monitor tech, and auto-transfusionist with a perfusion company. This early foundation in diagnostic care laid the groundwork for her transition into sleep medicine.

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Since entering the field of polysomnography in 2007, Patricia has earned her RPSGT, RST, and CCSH credentials, and has served in leadership roles as a Clinical Coordinator and Lead Technologist. She has also successfully launched a new sleep center from the ground up.

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At NIHT, Patricia leads with unmatched clinical insight and a true educator’s heart—dedicating her time to developing the next generation of sleep technologists and promoting long-term health through quality sleep care.

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“I’ve seen firsthand how proper sleep care transforms lives. My mission is to make sure our students have the skills and passion to do the same.”
— Patricia Copeland

Originally from Puerto Rico, Heidi moved to the U.S. mainland in 2001 and has since become a driving force in the field of sleep medicine. With over 15 years of experience managing an accredited sleep center—and overseeing three successful accreditation's—she brings both front line expertise and big-picture strategy to everything she does.

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Heidi holds a Master of Business Administration and has served as the administrator of one of Georgia’s leading sleep centers. In 2020, she founded the National Institute for Health Technology (NIHT) at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her goal was simple but bold: create high-quality, career-focused education that cuts out the fluff and helps students gain the skills they actually need—without delay.

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Her leadership is rooted in real-world experience, and she’s fiercely committed to raising the bar for allied health education—without gatekeeping, gimmicks, or wasted time.

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“I wish I could help more students reach their goals faster. That’s what this program is about—cutting through the noise and giving them a real shot at success.”
— Heidi Ward

Jeffrey Ward brings a lifetime of service, clinical expertise, and entrepreneurial leadership to his role as Finance Director at the National Institute for Health Technology (NIHT).

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A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former paramedic, Jeffrey went on to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) before founding National Sleep Solutions in 2001. Under his leadership, the sleep lab has grown into a fully accredited and highly respected center known for clinical excellence.

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With over 20 years of experience in sleep and respiratory care, Jeffrey is committed to helping the next generation discover the field earlier and enter it better prepared than he was.

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“If I had known about sleep medicine sooner, I would’ve skipped everything else and started here. Now I want to help students find that path early.”
— Jeffrey S. Ward