PVAC initially worked with the Springfield Nursing Departmet to develop the School Nurse Asthma Champion program. The program is now regional with School Nurse Asthma Champions in Springfield, West Springfield, Northampton and  Chicopee.

These school nurses play a critical role by: 

• educating children, parents, and their fellow Springfield Public School staff on asthma and best practice asthma management
• facilitating communication between healthcare providers and the school system
• working with school nurses to increase the number of children with asthma that have asthma action plans on file
• creating infra-structure within the schools to support best practice asthma care
• ensuring coordination with other local and regional activities by actively participating in PVAC

Funding for this program has been provided in the past by the MA Dept of Public Health Asthma Disparities Initiative, Baystate Children's Hospital and the Children's Miracle Network, and an EPA grant.

Jamie Klingensmith presented a poster at the Nov. 2013 APHA on the outcomes of the Springfield Asthma Champion program.  She presented her findings at a PVAC meeting earlier this year.  Read more.

Ann Maggio - Springfield School Nurse Asthma Champion - Kensington Primary School.

Ann takes the lead in Springfield Public Schools by facilitating communication between doctors/clinics and the school system and ensuring asthma action plans are completed and filed with the school for all children with medication orders.

Marianne Wagner - Springfield School Nurse Asthma Champion - Indian Orchard Community School.

Marianne takes the lead for Springfield school nurses by providing asthma education, facilitating parent/student education, and tracking and documenting efforts to provide best practice asthma care for all the students in Springfield.