What We Do
In the more than 10 years since AAE's incorporation, this nascent organization has grown to almost 500 members. Growth in our organization remains brisk, with applications for membership arriving daily. Members include nurses, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physician assistants, case managers and doctors.
To meet the challenges of providing quality continuing education to this diverse group, AAE holds an annual conference. Attendance at each of these conferences has grown to almost 300 people. In 2003, AAE developed and launched a powerful Review Course program that helps to prepare participants to sit for the National Asthma Educator Certification Exam. In 2009, AAE updated this 14-hour program to include information from the Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR 3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma.
In addition to the Annual Conference,
AAE has produced a continuing education monograph on culturally competent
asthma care. During 2009, AAE published Medication Inhalation Therapy:
A Comprehensive Guide for Asthma Educators. In addition to these quality
publications, AAE published a quarterly newsletter. In 2010 it will launch a
bi-monthly Journal of Asthma and Allergy Educators. There are numerous
opportunities to grow, both individually, and as a group, and
encourage asthma educators everywhere to become strong.
AAE Committees
1. Operations: Primary Objective is to maintain an effective structure for serving members
and achieving the mission and strategic goals. Committee Chair is Nina Zimmermann:
ninazimm2368@gmail.com
Operations Committee includes the following subcommittees:
a. Nominating: Accepts nominations for board positions. Reviews vitae and goals submitted by
potential members. Catherine Vitari: vitarica@upmc.edu
b.Bylaws: Reviews bylaws to insure they are current. Recommends changes as needed.
c. Policies and Procedures: Reviews policies and procedures to insure they are current. Recommends
changes as needed. Subcommittee Chair is Kay Stiffler: kayrrtaec@cox.net
d. Ethics: Ensures board members as well as members adhere to the code of ethics and membership
standards. Reviews any potential violations. Subcommittee chair is Nina Zimmermann: ninazimm2368@gmail.com
2. Public Relations and Advocacy: Primary objective is to focus resources on effective marketing and
public relations to promote the association, its mission and programs. Dee Mallam is the Public Relations and
Advocacy Chair. dmallam@verizon.net
Public Relations Committee includes the following subcommittees:
a. Membership: Recommends membership retention and recruitment campaigns. Membership
Co-Chairs are Dee Mallam: dmallam@verizon.net; Deb Clark: nursedsc@aol.com
; and Annette Zampelli:
Annette.Zampelli@cslbehring.com.
b. Website: Recommends updates/resources: Catherine Vitari:
vitarica@upmc.edu
c. Past Presidents Council; Karen Gregory: kgregory@oklahomaalergy.com
d. Awards: Catherine Kier: catherine.kier@stonybrook.edu
3. Education: Primary objective is to develop and offer educational courses, conferences and resources
to benefit asthma educators and allied professionals. Karen Gregory: kgregory@oklahomaallergy.com and
Tim Op’t Holt: toptholt@jaguar1.usouthal.edu are the Education Committee Chairs.
Education Committee includes the following subcommittees:
a. AAE National Asthma Review and Recertification Course Subcommittee. Chair is Wendy Brown: wendy.brown@ndsu.edu
b. BAECM Subcommittee
c. Multimedia Subcommittee: Chair is Ann Mullen: mullena@njc.org
d. Conference. Chair is Bill Pruitt: wpruitt@usouthal.edu
4. Finance: Primary objective is to ensure financial stability, oversees budget. Kay Stiffler is the
Chair, kayrrtaec@cox.net
a. Fundraising Subcommittee
5. Strategic Planning Committee: Primary objective is to ensure association adheres to goals and
objectives. Kathy Morris is the chair: ktackettm@hotmail.com