Kristin Topham Homze, RN, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, AE-C

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Amanda Lucas
5 years ago
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1 Kristin Topham Homze, RN, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, AE-C My name is Kristin Topham Homze. I was born with asthma and allergies. I have been on every medication and treatment the asthma world has to offer. I was also involved in different research studies for trial medications. Now they are known as Xolair and Zyflo. Treatments have drastically improved over the years. These numerous experiences have helped to shape my career, first as a registered nurse, and now as a nurse practitioner. I have worked with the American Lung Association, where I was first nominated for the NAECB in Next, I moved into a more clinical position as an Allergy and Asthma nurse with Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. I went on to obtain my Family Nurse Practitioner Certification from Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. My first job as an Asthma and Allergy NP was with Asthma and Allergy Associates in Fayetteville, NY. I am currently working with Dr. John Hein at Pentucket Medical Associates in the Allergy Department after moving back to Massachusetts. I truly enjoy working as a Nurse Practitioner. Traci Arney and Karen Meyerson (NAECB) were strong influences on my decision to become one. Previously on the board of NAECB, I had many different roles. My biggest accomplishment while on the Board was establishing guidelines, organizing, and streamlining the Linda B. Ford Scholarship Program. I was very proud to own that in her honor. Other committees I served on included the Executive, Admissions and Exam Committees. More recently, I solely initiated a collaboration effort for improved asthma care between Pentucket Medical Associates and Partners Asthma Centers, directed by Dr. Christopher Fanta from Brigham and Women's Hospital. After a lot of persistence and patience, it has become official. We are waiting for the final touches to be completed. Although I am a provider, I feel that by also being a (compliant) patient who has endured quite a bit, this poses a unique opportunity for myself and the NAECB. I continue to be committed to the vision and mission statement and hope to be able to bring my new experience and knowledge to the table once again. Lorena Mottu, FNP-C, AE-C I am a nurse practitioner in Houston, TX with over 10 years of experience in the nursing field. Years of experience in the acute care setting developed my interest in health care promotion in the community setting. In 2009, I worked as a school nurse and experienced the struggles children with poorly controlled asthma had. In addition to the ongoing problem of missing school days and activities, I realized how early asthma education, support and advocacy impacted the asthmatic child's health and family. My experience at the school led me to become a nurse practitioner. In 2013 I joined Baylor College of Medicine Environmental Health Service (BCM-EHS) for a unique opportunity to offer home-based care for patients with asthma. BCM-EHS opened an environmental health clinic in Pasadena, TX through partnership with Harris Health and began offering environmental assessments and home visits for children with asthma. The visits implemented Health Home strategies, which are recognized nationally through the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). The year-long intervention included a home assessment, a custom action plan, free tools and resources (such as dust mite covers & allergy filters) for many families in need. I received my certification as a Healthy Home Specialist and Asthma Educator during this role. In addition, I participated in a Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funded research opportunity with BCM-EHS to recruit African-American patients with poorly controlled asthma and integrated a similar home intervention. Currently I practice at Harris Health's Southside School Based Clinic in Galena Park, TX. I remain committed to serving the local community and raising awareness on environmental effects and asthma control.

2 I feel my certification as an asthma educator has positively impacted my role as a provider. Therefore, I am passionate about asthma education for health care professionals. Recently, I worked with the American Lung Association (ALA) as a nurse planner and received approval through the Texas Nurses Association for CEU's for Asthma Educator Institute in Houston. My healthcare and research experience would be a unique contribution to Board. In my spare time, I enjoy outdoor activities with my husband and twin girls. Rhonda Hertwig, RN, MSN, CPNP, AE-C Rhonda Hertwig completed her Masters in Pediatric Clinical Specialty and Bachelors of Nursing at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, in 1982 and 1978 respectively. She has over 30 years combined experience as a Registered Nurse and school nursing, with the last 15 years as a CPNP after completing her Post-Masters certificate at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She has served on several organizations affiliated with asthma care. She is currently between opportunities. Rhonda has a huge interest in advocacy/empowerment for families/collaboration with school nursing/ and an overall interest in improving asthma outcomes. Tami Kochan, RN, MSN, CPNP, AE-C Working as an RN in Allergy and Immunology started me on my path to asthma and education. I was then privileged to work with a Pulmonologist as an RN and was able to do a lot of asthma education on the phone with our patients. When I chose to return to school for my Masters I was privileged to receive a Pulmonary Grant through the Maternal and Child Health. I took special pulmonary physiology classes and interned in the Seattle Children's pulmonary department. While attending school I worked as an asthma nurse case manager for over 100 pediatric providers and served over 200 families. I started as a PNP in Primary Care and was given the opportunity take asthma education to the next level at the clinic. I was able to decrease ED visits and improved the patients overall control of their asthma by spending time educating one-on-one and through parent classes. Yearly, I am a guest speaker for FNP's at Oregon Health Science University teaching pediatric asthma. For the past 2 years I have served as Co-Chair and currently Chair of the Asthma Allergy Special Interest Group through NAPNAP. With NAPNAP I helped to create the curriculum for the Pediatric Asthma Educator (PAE). Over the last 8 years, I developed an asthma program in the primary care setting teaching the importance of spending time educating patients about the their disease process. I have taught asthma education to 3 rd -5 th grade students in school and to the parents at night classes. For both of these classes I put together the program using my NAECB and PAE education. I strongly believe that education is key to well controlled asthma. Randall Rife, RRT-NPS, AE-C, RCP Randall works at Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth Texas as a Critical Care Respiratory Therapist and Certified Asthma Educator and COPD Educator. He has twenty-two years experience in respiratory care, including adult and neonatal intensive care, adult and pediatric asthma, emergency medicine and managing patients with long-term artificial airways. In this role, he evaluates patients, develops and implements treatment plans with emphasis on patient education. His special talent is patient education with a strong focus on asthma self- management and treatment. Randall's strengths are making complex care plans simple to follow, helping patients to gain confidence in self-care, determining the special needs of each patient, and with them, creating an asthma action plan.

3 He is also a reviewer of research abstracts for the Association of Asthma Educators. Randall volunteers serving the homeless and community health fairs. Randall earned his Respiratory Therapy degree in 1993 and was his class Valedictorian. Randall is also board certified in Neonates and Pediatric respiratory care and is an ACLS instructor. Randall s talents include his work before becoming a Respiratory Therapist in He spent twelve years working in adult education for a Fortune 500 corporation as a classroom instructor, has written and published specialized curriculum taught internationally, and as the manager of corporate training setting up workshops across the US and at corporate locations. He was a featured speaker on adult education methodology comparing the results of andragogy vs. pedagogy at national and regional seminars. Despite his busy career in Respiratory Therapy, Randall makes time to be involved with community and professional organizations. He is a member of the Association of Asthma Educators, National Board for Respiratory Care, American Association for respiratory Care and the Texas Society for Respiratory Care. Randall lives in Fort Worth Texas with his wife and their three cats, three dogs and a parrot. They volunteer for a local dog rescue group, and enjoy live theater and travel. Samantha Robichaud, RRT, NPS, AE-C As a Registered Respiratory Therapist-Neonatal Pediatric Specialist and Certified Asthma Educator I have a diverse professional background. In terms of education, I have received a Master's of Science in Respiratory Care Leadership degree from Northeastern University. Professionally, my background includes acute care, education, non-profit management, and advocacy. I am currently employed as a Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Practitioner at Alexian Brothers Health System near Chicago, Illinois, and also with Baker College as an Adjunct Faculty member for Health Sciences. I have served on the Board of Directors for Camp Michi-MAC (an asthma camp in Michigan) and with the Michigan Society for Respiratory Care as Asthma Chair and District X Representative. Currently, I am part of the Social Media Committee for the Coalition for Baccalaureate and Graduate Respiratory Therapy Education (CoBGRTE). In my various roles I have developed and coordinated continuing education opportunities for health care professionals and provided asthma education to fellow professionals, patients, and communities. My experiences in asthma education range from licensed Physicians all the way down to young children at asthma camp. I have participated in many community events with both local and national chapters of various organizations (American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, World Asthma Day, Project Healthy Living Fairs). Although I am not asthmatic, I recognize the toll this condition takes on our families and communities, as well as the countless misconceptions there are regarding asthma. For these reasons, advocacy and asthma education are my passion. I am committed to inspiring change from the most basic level all the way up to those with extensive education/experience in asthma management. Francesca Lopez, BS, MSPH, AE-C, HHS Francesca Lopez is an asthma educator with (AE-C) designation who has worked professionally in the area of pediatric asthma for over six years. She has led the development of interventions in public health, healthcare and community settings to incorporate the role of an asthma educator as an integral part of the primary care team for the provision of self-management education for children with asthma and their caregivers. In addition she has led the development and implementation of a state-wide curriculum on asthma management for childcare settings in Georgia called GAME-CS. She serves as the Program Manager for the Georgia Asthma Control Program, which under her leadership established a strategic plan that included objectives to increase the number of AE-Cs in Georgia by 50% and to promote reimbursement for asthma education by a certified asthma educator. Ms. Lopez holds a Master's of Science in Public Health degree in Epidemiology from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor's of Science in Chemical Engineering from Tuskegee University. In addition to her AE-C she is certified as a Healthy Homes Specialist through the National Environmental Health Association.

4 "... I believe in and support the mission of NAECB, to promote optimal asthma management and quality of life among individuals with asthma, their families and communities, by advancing excellence in asthma education through the certified asthma educator process. Our Nation's health delivery system is experiencing a significant paradigm shift. I am passionate about need and the role of properly prepared asthma educators as a pivotal extension of the health care team. I am interested in serving as a member of the Board to leverage my individual skills and expertise along with the collective passion and commitment of my peers to move forward the agenda and accomplish the strategic goals of NAECB. I will seek to exercise these skills where they are needed within in the organization, and have a particular interest in serving on the Public Relations, Research, and By-laws Board committees." Sarah Wilkinson, MPH, CHES, AE-C One of the most significant challenges in reducing asthma rates in urban centers is the complexity of asthma treatment. It takes a whole community, from children to adults, from medical providers to politicians, from school professionals to public health practitioners in order to affect change. I am fortunate enough to have experience working on multiple levels to provide asthma education. In my first position as a Health Education professional, I worked at one of country's largest health departments to educate community members about city resources that are available to help control environmental triggers - such as mice, roaches, and mold - that exist in the homes of many asthmatic children. I have also worked in a clinical setting as part of a team to establish asthma education in primary care clinics. While I was part of this team, we were honored to receive Level 3 recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, meaning that it was evident our patients were treated by an entire clinical team including the physician, nurse, social worker, and asthma educator. I am currently working at an organization which partners with a local charter school network to provide asthma education to all students and staff. In this position, I have designed curricula suitable for grades K-8. I have matched asthma education objectives to the Common Core Curriculum for New York State in order to provide relevant, informational, and exciting lessons. Despite all of the work being done to incorporate multi-level asthma education, disparities in the burden of disease remain. As a member of the National Asthma Education Certification Board, I will work to ensure we promote the importance of Certified Asthma Educators in schools, clinics, and the community. I am particularly interested in advocating for asthma education tests in other languages, considering many health educators provide asthma education in languages other than English. Overall, I believe we represent a group of professionals that have the most up-to-date and accurate asthma information available, and our knowledge is valuable in helping to combat disparities related to asthma. Anne Cummins, MPH, MCHES, AE-C Anne C. Cummins holds a Bachelor's of Science in Health Education and Promotion from the University of Utah. She received a Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center and is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) as well as certified as an Asthma Educator (AE- C). Anne has worked extensively on asthma initiatives for Children's Health System of Texas including providing leadership to the Asthma Management Program and serving as a co-chair for the Health and Wellness Alliance for Children's Equipping Families for Asthma Wellness working group. Anne is the Past President of the North Texas Asthma Consortium (NTAC) Board of Directors. She has served on the NTAC Board since 2008 and has secured funding for the non-profit organization from both state and federal grant opportunities. In addition, she has provided leadership for the development and implementation of the Ozone Awareness Flag Program and the Texas Asthma Guide for Schools. Having worked in health promotion the community as well as in Asthma Management for the Children s Medical Center, I have seen time and time again the critical need for good asthma management that is evidenced based

5 and focused on supporting people with asthma to improve their quality of life. With that being said, we need more Certified Asthma Educators. Serving on the board of Directors for NAECB is of interest so that I can support the mission of advancing asthma education and ultimately promoting high quality asthma education and management among patient/families across the nation. Maureen Damitz, BA, AE-C As a parent of three children (now young men) with asthma my passion and mission quickly became to learn all I could about asthma and change my life from one of doctor visits and emergency rooms to one of control. Once I learned how to do this for our family I found my passion. I began my path in asthma as a volunteer and was fortunate enough to turn this into a career. Currently I serve as the Business Manager for a large Pulmonary Practice in a Public Hospital. In my early years I started as a Community Educator working to bring asthma programs to our local community. I branched out from there to form a support group for parents that grew to over 250 families and then moved on to other communities. The deeper I went into the city, the larger the problem of asthma became. While working for the Respiratory Health Association (formerly American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago) as Senior Director of Programs I was able to develop the Fight Asthma Now program for youth and teens. This guideline-based validated program has now reached over 10,000 youth and given them the knowledge, skills and confidence to live life with asthma independently. I bring over 20 years of experience in working with asthma in a broad range of communities. I have overseen many programs that worked closely with asthma educators and understand the vital role that these programs provide for the community. I have co-authored several publications on asthma interventions and have presented at local, state and national conferences on issues surrounding asthma and barriers to care. I seek ways to reduce barriers and improve access to medications, education and medical devices for patients. I have a diverse background that includes research, education, community work, advocacy and first-hand experience with asthma. I will utilize these skills to represent the needs of asthma educators if elected to the board.

Ava Caradine MPH, RRT-NPS, AE-C

Ava Caradine MPH, RRT-NPS, AE-C AAE Member Since: 2015 Arkansas Children s Hospital Vision Statement: I want to help facilitate and be an impetus for better asthma management here in the natural state.