Trinity Health Hospitals Now Offer Inspire V™ Sleep Apnea Treatment in West Michigan

Trinity Health Muskegon and Trinity Health Grand Rapids are the first hospitals in West Michigan to offer the Inspire ® implant treatment to patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who haven’t responded well to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment. For these patients, Inspire therapy can provide life-changing relief and significantly improve sleep quality. Trinity Health Ann Arbor was the first hospital in the state to successfully implant the Inspire V device in May 2025.  

Craig Hoekzema, MD, an otolaryngologist with West Shore ENT & Allergy, performed the first procedure at Trinity Health Muskegon on July 17. The first procedure at Trinity Health Grand Rapids was performed by Claudell Cox, MD, an otolaryngologist with Michigan ENT & Allergy Specialists, on July 28. Since then, Erin Kevern, DO, and Nicholas Cameron, DO, otolaryngologists with Michigan ENT & Allergy Specialists, have also provided the same treatment.  

Inspire V is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and improves upon previous versions with a simplified procedure, enhanced patient comfort settings and more efficient patient management. "We are excited to provide this innovative advancement in upper airway stimulation technology,” said Dr. Cox. 

Unlike CPAP machines, which require external masks and hoses, Inspire V is a small device implanted during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. Once implanted, it delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles to keep the airway open during sleep. 

“Patients can easily turn on the device each night using a handheld remote,” said Dr. Hoekzema. “No masks, no hoses, just better sleep.”

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that disables the ability to breathe while asleep and can last between several seconds to a couple minutes. Symptoms while asleep can include loud snoring, gasping or choking sounds, and frequently being woken up. Symptoms when awake can include a headache in the morning, a dry/sore throat in the morning, fatigue and tiredness throughout the day, and more.

With nearly 1 billion people between the ages of 30 and 69 affected worldwide, obstructive sleep apnea can result in high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, stroke, and other major health concerns.

For questions or to see if you qualify for this treatment, contact Trinity Health Sleep Program Navigator, Kurt Brown, at 616-685-6330. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Hoekzema, Cox, Kevern or Cameron, a referral is needed from your primary care physician.