Asefa J. Mekonnen, MD, FCCP, FAASM

Dr. Asefa J. Mekonnen is a pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine physician who directs the Premier Sleep Center in Rockville, MD, and is a partner with the Rockville Internal Medicine Group. He cares for patients in both English and Amharic, making him a trusted choice for the area’s Ethiopian community as well as anyone managing breathing, lung, or sleep conditions.

Background and training

Dr. Mekonnen earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Addis Ababa University Faculty of Medicine in Ethiopia. He completed his internal medicine internship and residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, then a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, followed by a sleep medicine fellowship at Stanford University. He also holds a certificate in clinical research from Harvard Medical School’s Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program.

Why patients choose Dr. Mekonnen

Dr. Mekonnen brings unusually deep training to lung and sleep care, with board certification spanning internal medicine, pulmonary disease, sleep medicine, and obesity medicine. He previously served as Chief of Pulmonary Medicine at Suburban Hospital / Johns Hopkins Medicine, is an Associate Professor at Georgetown University, and works as a Principal Investigator with Velocity Clinical Research. He is a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians (FCCP) and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (FAASM).

Beyond the clinic, he is a recognized advocate for health equity and diversity in clinical trials, has mentored students from underserved backgrounds, and has written and spoken in the media about minority health.

Practice focus

Asthma, COPD, chronic cough, and other lung conditions; critical care; and the full range of sleep medicine, including obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia. As director of the Premier Sleep Center, he combines pulmonary expertise with dedicated sleep diagnostics and treatment.

Languages and access

Dr. Mekonnen speaks English and Amharic, accepts new patients, and offers virtual visits alongside in-person appointments at his Rockville office. To book, call (301) 762-5020 or confirm availability with the office.