Asthma Care in Schools: Policy, Practice, and the Role of the School Nurse

Join us for a Lunch & Learn focused on strengthening asthma care in the school setting. In “Asthma Care in Schools: Policy, Practice, and the Role of the School Nurse,” Rachael Morkunas, Program Director at the Respiratory Health Association, will share insights on current policies, best practices, and the critical role school nurses play in supporting students with asthma. Facilitated by Gloria Barrera, this session will explore strategies to improve care coordination, promote adherence to asthma action plans, and create healthier school environments that help students breathe easier and succeed in the classroom.

Rachael Morkunas, MPH, is an experienced public health professional and lifelong asthmatic committed to advancing health equity and improving access to care. With over eight years of experience in program planning, implementation, and evaluation, her work focuses on breaking down barriers to good health—especially in the areas of chronic disease management and healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Rachael currently serves as Program Director at Respiratory Health Association, where she leads the Chronic Disease Team and oversees a wide range of lung health initiatives, including asthma, COPD, tobacco cessation, radon awareness, and lung cancer programming. She works to improve asthma outcomes for students and families across Chicago through education, systems-level strategies, and partnerships between schools and healthcare providers. Her lived experience with asthma fuels her passion for creating community-based solutions and building meaningful collaborations that address the root causes of health disparities.