Benjamin Hughes, MD

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.

Specialties

Sleep Medicine ( 2018 , 2018 )
Pediatric Pulmonology ( 2018 , 2018 )
Pediatrics ( 2013 , 2013 )

Conditions & Treatments

Lungs and Breathing
Asthma, Chronic Lung Disease of Prematurity (Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia), Chronic Mechanical Ventilation, Cystic Fibrosis, Granulomatous Lung Disease, Interstitial Lung Disease, Lung Development, Lung Disease, Neonatal Lung Diseases, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Pulmonary Hypertension, Tracheostomy Dependence

Interests & Activities

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.

Education & Training

Medical Schools

MD, University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine (2009)

Undergraduate Schools

BS, University of Texas–Austin (TX) (2005)

BA, University of Texas–Austin (TX) (2008)

Residency Program

University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program (2012)

Fellowships

University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program (2017)

National Jewish Medical and Research Center (2016)

Research & Grants

Research Interests for Patients

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.

information for referring providers

Referral Contact Phone

720-777-1234

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Practice Locations

Children's Hospital Colorado

Colorado Springs