HOUSTON (February 15, 2017) – The Tomball Regional Health Foundation has awarded American Lung Association in Texas a $31,625 grant to launch and support its Texas Asthma Management in Schools Program. The initiative provides asthma programing for school nurses in addition to offering to education to asthma students and their caregivers and will begin in the 2017 spring semester in the Tomball Independent School District (ISD), the Klein ISD, the Magnolia ISD and the Waller ISD.

“I brainstormed this program late last year and have been working on a sustainable grant,” said Dr. Rubina Abrol, asthma programs manager at the American Lung Association in Texas – Houston. “With the generous support from the Tomball Health Foundation, nurses in the Tomball, Klein, Magnolia and Waller school districts will have the proper training and resources to help any student who may have asthma or experience respiratory distress while at school.”

Asthma is a chronic disease that restricts airways and makes it more difficult to breathe. In Texas, more than 541,000 children live with asthma, and pediatric asthma is the most common chronic childhood health problem and leading cause of childhood disability. Asthma can be managed with education, medication and avoidance of triggers. The Texas Asthma Management in Schools Program incorporates several American Lung Association asthma education initiatives to train nurses so they can better support their students with asthma.

School nurses in the districts that are participating in the program will attend the Asthma Educator Institute on March 14 and 15 at the United Way of Greater Houston in Houston and will receive an asthma educator toolkit along with device demos and educational resources. As part of the grant, nurses will receive preparation for the NAECB Certified Asthma Educator exam and an a fee waiver if they chose to take the test. Additionally, nurses will be able to attend a one-day conference where Abrol will give trainings on asthma pathophysiology, emergency management, indoor air quality and asthma triggers identification reduction.

“The American Lung Association offers high caliber training on asthma management and the Asthma Management in Schools Program brings those resources straight to the school districts,” Abrol said. “We are excited to launch this program in the Tomball area and help students with asthma live a normal and healthy life.” 

Also as part of the program, Abrol will present asthma education information at parent-teacher meetings and in-school services.

The Tomball Regional Health Foundation grant is a one-year allocation, but Abrol said they will review the program at the end of the 2017 calendar year and decided if further trainings are needed.

More about asthma and the American Lung Associations programs can be found at Lung.org/asthma

For media interested in speaking with an expert about asthma and the American Lung Association’s asthma programs, contact Heather Mangan at heather.mangan@lung.org or 312-801-7631.

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About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

Tomball Regional Health Foundation (TRHF) is the new name of the Tomball Hospital Authority (THA).  The THA was the owner and operator of the Tomball Regional Medical Center from its founding in 1976 up until its sale in 2011.  TRHF’s mission is to promote wellness and improve health status for all residents in our communities through programs that enhance access to health care, preventative care and health education.Please visit the new TRHF website at www.trhfoundation.org for more information regarding the foundation.