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Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer

Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer, DO

Sleep MedicineEpilepsy NeurologyClinical Neurophysiology

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Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Adult

Languages

  • English

Gender

Female

About Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer

Biography

Dr. Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer is Professor of Neurology and Staff in the Sleep Disorders and Epilepsy Centers at Cleveland Clinic. She is Director Emeritus of the Sleep Disorders Center, having led development of one of the largest, multidisciplinary sleep teams in the nation, advanced diagnostic testing for patients of all ages across Northeast Ohio, and a clinical sleep research program over two decades. She is an investigator in sleep medicine clinical trials and has written extensively on topics in sleep medicine and sleep in neurological disorders. She published four books including Sleep Disorders: A Case a Week from the Cleveland Clinic, 2nd Edition in 2019. She serves on the Cleveland Clinic Appointments and Promotions Committee and was an elected member of the Cleveland Clinic Board of Governors from 2016 to 2020. She is the recipient of a large philanthropic gift to advance sleep awareness and recently launched "Sleep by Cleveland Clinic", a mobile application that provides sleep health screenings for common sleep disorders.

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Locations

  1. Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
    • phone:
    • fax:
  2. Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
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Education & Board Certifications

Education

  • Fellowship: Duke University Medical Center , 1995
  • Residency: Loyola University Medical Center, 1993
  • Residency: Evanston Hospital, 1990
  • Internship: Chicago Osteopathic Medical Center, 1989
  • Medical Education: Chicago College of Osteo. Med. @ Midwestern University, 1988
  • Undergraduate: Loyola University of Chicago, 1984

Board Certifications

  • Epilepsy: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, 2013
  • Sleep Medicine: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, 2007
  • Clinical Neurophysiology: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, 1996
  • Neurology: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, 1995

Professional Highlights

Published several books on sleep disorders including "The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Sleep Disorders", Kaplan Publishing, 2009 and "Sleep Disorders: A Case a Week from the Cleveland Clinic", Oxford University Press, 2010.

Served in numerous capacities and member of the American Academy of Neurology; American Academy of Sleep Medicine; American Epilepsy Society; Sleep Research Society; American Clinical Neurophysiology Society

Additional Training

Master of Science in Clinical Research from Case Western Reserve University, 2011

Awards

  • Listed in "Top Docs," Cleveland Magazine, 2007-present.
  • Received 2004 Epilepsy Association Legacy Award, 2006-2007 Cleveland Clinic Innovators Award, and 2008 Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute Professional Staff Award.
  • 2018 Women's Professional Staff Champion Award

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Neurology; American Academy of Sleep Medicine; American Epilepsy Society; Sleep Research Society; American Clinical Neurophysiology Society

Innovations & Patents

Pioneering use of hotel-based sleep laboratories in a large tertiary care center
Developed SLEEP by Cleveland Clinic, a mobile application for screening sleep disorders in adults

Research & Publications

See publications for this provider. (Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists collaborate with industry to advance medical breakthroughs. These partnerships help commercialize discoveries for public benefit while maintaining scientific integrity. To ensure transparency and minimize potential bias, Cleveland Clinic reviews these relationships and publicly discloses when physicians/scientists receive significant compensation for consulting, serve in fiduciary roles, receive royalties, or hold equity interests related to their work. We manage potential conflicts through approval processes, annual reporting, and targeted management plans.

As of 2025-07-14, Dr. Foldvary-Schaefer has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below.

Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Foldvary-Schaefer receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:

  • Jazz Pharmaceuticals, plc

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Insurances Accepted

Review a list of accepted insurance plans for our Northeast Ohio locations or learn more about purchasing a contracted managed care plan.

Video

Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5

109 ratings, 19 reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Explains
Courtesy Respect & Concern
Patient Rating of Doctor
Search reviews
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/8/2026

    Dr. Foldvary is an exceptional physician, just outstanding. She is not only exceptional in her field, but she is a kind, caring and compassionate human being!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/18/2026

    Love Dr. Foldvary. She''s always concerned about my whole health not just my epilepsy.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/24/2025

    Dr Foldvary Schaefer was tremendous. Smart as a whip, kind, knew my file n my personal concerns. Great . Lucky to have found her. Thank you

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/24/2025

    Dr. Foldvary is truly a one in a million doctor. I have had a lot of bad medical experiences, and she has pretty much single-handedly restored my faith in the medical system. One of the best doctors I have ever been to.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/16/2025

    The doctor was absolutely amazing!! She listened to every thing I said and really cared about the problems I've been facing. She was very informative and helpful. She made sure I felt including in deciding my care moving forward. I would highly recommend her to anyone with sleep issues!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/5/2025

    Dr. Foldvary Schaefer is Excellent. She covers all the details to assess my health and myLevetirecdtsm prescription.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/22/2025

    SHE WAS VERY KIND AND PATIENT WITH US.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/13/2025

    Dr. Foldvary is an excellent Neurologist!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/13/2025

    Dr. Foldvary Schaefer works tirelessly to provide the most effective treatment. She's compassionate, and while she's a true expert, includes you in all decision making. She makes you feel like she's a partner in your healthcare and dedicated to improve your health conditions. I'm grateful for her first rate care.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/7/2025

    I was very satisfied with the care of both Dr. Foldvary and the fellow that saw me. Very thorough, easy to talk to, and caring.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/7/2025

    Dr. Foldvary is excellent and always listens thoughtfully, connecting the dots between other specialists we see.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/22/2025

    Dr foldvary is amazing doctor and treats me with respect and cares about my problems with having seizures in the past and thankfully no problem since 2008 thanks to Dr foldvary and her staff

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/1/2025

    Dr. Foldvary is exemplary in her compassion, empathy, friendliness, professionalism, and medical care.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/1/2025

    I feel very fortunate to have found Dr. Nancy Foldvary Shaefer. Very thorough and knowledgeable.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/28/2025

    Dr. Foldvary has been so helpful to me. I appreciate how she is committed to find the right solutions for me, even though my situation is complex. I'm grateful she is my doctor.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/28/2025

    These doctors are amazing. However, the overall ease of getting care at the clinic has not been easy.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/14/2025

    Dr Folwarzny listened to my concerns and came up with a good plan for going forward.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/29/2025

    Dr. Foldvary-Schaefer is a first-class person and an outstanding physician. As a physician myself, I know a great one when I see one. Dr. Foldvary-Schaefer is a great one.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/28/2025

    Dr. Foldvary is amazing.