Director
Catherine Vitari, RN, BSN, AE-C
Brief description of my real job: I am a clinical research nurse for the Asthma Institute of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. I am a part of Dr. Sally Wenzel’s research group. I also manage the clinic patients of Dr. Wenzel and Dr. Holguin that are seen at the Comprehensive Lung Center at UPMC which is a pulmonology practice for adults and children, ages 12 and older. I am a certified asthma educator.
Practice and research interests: Asthma education and quality of life. Research interests include severe asthma and investigational drugs. Currently conducting a study on teaching inhaler technique to patients.
My AAE roles: Member since 2005, reviewer for certification review course, newly elected to the board in 2009.
Personal: Member of the Pennsylvania Asthma Partnership (Education and Awareness Committee), working on improving the care of asthma patients in Pennsylvania. I work to “educate the educators”, meaning all of the folks that see a person with asthma, in the hopes that everyone can encourage/teach them about their asthma care, such as pharmacists, pulmonary function technicians, respiratory therapists, receptionists, nurses on the floors or in the clinics; and family members. Email: vitarica@upmc.edu