Lung Association Brings its Asthma Educator Institute to Long Island

HAUPPAUGE, NY (03/22/2012)(readMedia)-- The American Lung Association in New York, in cooperation with the Asthma Coalition of Long Island, will be bringing its Asthma Educator Institute to Long Island this May. The two-day course is being held May 17-18 at the United Healthcare Community Plan in Hempstead. The Institute is designed to prepare qualified health care professionals for the National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) exam.

The American Lung Association Asthma Educator Institute was developed in January of 2003 and was recently updated to reflect the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma.

"We're very excited to be bringing this important educational opportunity to Long Island," said Jeff Seyler, President and CEO of the American Lung Association in New York. "This program helps prepare first-class asthma educators who will be on the front lines helping children and adults on Long Island better manage their asthma."

"We are grateful to the physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and the many other healthcare professionals who are part of our coalition and will be teaching the various sections of this comprehensive course," said Anne Little, Director of the Asthma Coalition of Long Island. "By teaching tomorrow's educators how to best help those suffering from asthma manage their disease, we are helping to reduce the burden of asthma in communities all across Long Island."

The curriculum covers the content outlined in the NAECB Candidate Handbook and includes case reviews, hands-on skills demonstration and practice. The course is delivered by asthma experts in the community, including Certified Asthma Educators (AE-C).

The overall course objectives are:

• To prepare participants to provide NHLBI and NAEPP guideline directed asthma care to patients, families and health care providers across all settings.

• To identify the various roles of the asthma educator.

• To help prepare participants to pass the National Asthma Educator Certification Board exam.

• To network with health care providers/educators and organizations surrounding asthma care and asthma care policies.

This course is ideal for nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, masters prepared or C.H.E.S. Health Educators, social workers and AE-C's preparing for recertification.

More than more than 1.1 million adults living in New York State have asthma. Asthma occurs at any age but is more common in children than adults. While there is no cure for asthma, it can be managed and treated so that those who suffer can live normal, healthy lives. Asthma educators play a critical role in helping the many New Yorkers who suffer from asthma manage their disease.

Registration for the course is available online at www.alany.org/aeili. The cost of the course is $200; however, those who register prior to April 1 may be eligible for one of five available $100 scholarships. To learn more about the Asthma Educator Institute, visit www.alany.org. Those with questions may contact Liz D'Imperio at edimperio@alany.org

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About the American Lung Association in New York

Now in its second century, the American Lung Association in New York is the leading statewide organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, or to support our work, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.alany.org.

About the Asthma Coalition of Long Island

The Asthma Coalition of Long Island is funded by the New York State Department of Health through a grant to the American Lung Association of New York. The coalition is designed to reduce the burden of asthma on Long Island for children and their families by bringing together individuals from all walks of life with an interest in this important chronic disease. To learn more about the Asthma Coalition of Long Island, visit www.asthmacoalitionoflongisland.org.