Jennifer L. Martin has long believed that better sleep is one of the most powerful gifts we can give ourselves as we age.
Now, as the Leon Medical Centers Eminent Scholars Chair in Geriatrics and director of the Benjamín León Jr. Family Center for Geriatric Research and Education at FIU Medicine, she is bringing that conviction to a new generation of students and patients. She also serves as a senior psychologist and director of the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the Miami VA.
“Sleep is not a luxury—it’s one of the most accessible and powerful foundations for healthy aging.”
— Jennifer L. Martin
A licensed clinical psychologist with nearly two decades of experience in geriatrics and veteran-centered research, Martin previously served as professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and associate director for clinical and health services research at the VA Greater Los Angeles Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center. Her scientific work has focused on improving sleep as a key component of physical and mental health, particularly among women and older adults living with insomnia and other sleep disorders.
As a nationally recognized expert and the VA’s subject-matter expert for disseminating cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, she has helped shape better care across the system. Many of the veterans she has worked with describe profound changes after participating in her sleep studies and treatment programs.
“When a veteran tells me they finally slept through the night for the first time in years, and that their pain feels more manageable and their mood has lifted—that’s the real measure of success,” she reflects. Those improved nights have translated into better quality of life, greater energy for daily activities, and a renewed sense of hope for countless patients.
That passion for healthy aging feels almost destined. Martin comes from a remarkably close family known for longevity. When she was born, the local paper ran a story because all her grandparents and great-grandparents were still alive—a living testament to resilience that quietly shaped her path into geriatric medicine.
“Growing up surrounded by so many generations taught me early that aging well is possible, and that the right support can help more people experience those extra healthy years,” she notes.
At FIU and the Miami VA, she is leading efforts to advance active aging, prevent frailty, and improve care delivery for older adults while mentoring students and early-career scientists interested in aging and sleep disorders.
As today’s medical students prepare to care for a rapidly growing aging population, Martin is helping shape both the future healthcare workforce and the care older adults receive. Nearly half of all U.S. veterans are already 65 or older, making her dual role especially timely.
