Beth Payne, an alumna of the Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Science (NDSS) program, recently earned a Sleep Excellence Award from the North Carolina Academy of Sleep Medicine (NCASM). The award is the most prestigious sleep award in North Carolina and recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in sleep medicine, practice, research, education, leadership, or advocacy. She has been an active sleep technologist for the past ten years. Beth has been the polysomnography program chair, clinical coordinator, and instructor at Lenoir Community College for seven years. She is an avid volunteer in the sleep field working in community and student outreach. She is relentlessly committed to advancing sleep medicine and has much compassion for her patients and students. Beth is one of the first graduates of the NDSS program, the first of its kind in the country.