Presenter: TBA

Topic: Asthma Management Updates

Join us for CAC's Fall 2025 Lunch & Learn series! These days, schedules seem to be more packed than ever; but learning more about asthma management doesn't have to take hours. Each month, August through November at 12:00PM, we'll be hosting a 30-minute, informal Zoom group with an expert in the field of asthma to educate and answer questions around asthma and issues that can affect those living with it.

Lunch and Learn is free and open to all, and designed to be valuable for everyone, from experienced healthcare workers to community members looking to improve their ability to care for themselves and their loved ones.

The Lunch & Learn Series will be hosted on Zoom and live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Upon registering, you'll receive the Zoom access details in your confirmation email. Feel free to join us on the platform of your choice—we look forward to seeing you there!

Presenter: Kim Jay, Asthma Educator

Topic: Impact of racism on Asthma

Join us for CAC's Fall 2025 Lunch & Learn series! These days, schedules seem to be more packed than ever; but learning more about asthma management doesn't have to take hours. Each month, August through November at 12:00PM, we'll be hosting a 30-minute, informal Zoom group with an expert in the field of asthma to educate and answer questions around asthma and issues that can affect those living with it.

Lunch and Learn is free and open to all, and designed to be valuable for everyone, from experienced healthcare workers to community members looking to improve their ability to care for themselves and their loved ones.

The Lunch & Learn Series will be hosted on Zoom and live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Upon registering, you'll receive the Zoom access details in your confirmation email. Feel free to join us on the platform of your choice—we look forward to seeing you there!

Presenter:

Kim Jay
Sinai Urban Health Institute

Kim Jay joined Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI) in 2012, transitioning from a decade-long corporate accounting career to a role as an asthma educator. Motivated by a desire to align her work with her values, she pursued additional training and education, which helped her become a leader in community health. Over time, Kim advanced to positions including Training Manager, Consultant, and Senior Community Health Worker (CHW), where she now plays a pivotal role in training and mentoring new CHWs, ensuring they are well-prepared for their responsibilities. Read more. 

Topic: Refresher on the asthma guidelines and for providers to know when they need to refer patients to the specialist (allergist or pomologist)

Presenter:

Dr. Andrea Pappalardo
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine and UI Health

Dr. Andrea Pappalardo is a Board-Certified Allergist-Immunologist, Internist, and Pediatrician working at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine and UI Health. She completed her undergraduate education at Washington University in St. Louis and her doctorate at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. She completed a combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency at the University of Chicago Medical Center and her fellowship in Allergy & Immunology at Rush University Medical Center. Read more. 

Presenter: Melinda Fitzgerald, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner & Associate Medical Director

Topic: Resources for Schools and CBO for Asthma Initiatives and Medications

Join us for CAC's Fall 2025 Lunch & Learn series! These days, schedules seem to be more packed than ever; but learning more about asthma management doesn't have to take hours. Each month, August through November at 12:00PM, we'll be hosting a 30-minute, informal Zoom group with an expert in the field of asthma to educate and answer questions around asthma and issues that can affect those living with it.

Lunch and Learn is free and open to all, and designed to be valuable for everyone, from experienced healthcare workers to community members looking to improve their ability to care for themselves and their loved ones.

The Lunch & Learn Series will be hosted on Zoom and live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Upon registering, you'll receive the Zoom access details in your confirmation email. Feel free to join us on the platform of your choice—we look forward to seeing you there!

Presenter:

Melinda Fitzgerald, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
Mobile Care Chicago

Melinda Fitzgerald is a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and the Associate Medical Director at Mobile Care Chicago, a nonprofit organization that operates mobile medical clinics to provide essential specialty care for children with asthma and allergies who lack access to healthcare services. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Fisk University, her Master’s degree from the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program from Rush University College of Nursing, and recently completed her Doctorate in Transformative Leadership-Systems, also at Rush. Read more. 

Presenter: Shimoni Dharia, MD, MBA, CPE, Division Director, Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine

Topic: Asthma and Obesity

Join us for CAC's Fall 2025 Lunch & Learn series! These days, schedules seem to be more packed than ever; but learning more about asthma management doesn't have to take hours. Each month, August through November at 12:00PM, we'll be hosting a 30-minute, informal Zoom group with an expert in the field of asthma to educate and answer questions around asthma and issues that can affect those living with it.

Lunch and Learn is free and open to all, and designed to be valuable for everyone, from experienced healthcare workers to community members looking to improve their ability to care for themselves and their loved ones.

The Lunch & Learn Series will be hosted on Zoom and live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Upon registering, you'll receive the Zoom access details in your confirmation email. Feel free to join us on the platform of your choice—we look forward to seeing you there!

Presenter:

Shimoni Dharia, MD, MBA, CPE
Advocate Children’s Hospital, IL

Dr. Shimoni Dharia is a board-certified pediatric pulmonologist and the Division Director of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Illinois.  With a career spanning clinical excellence, leadership, and healthcare strategy, Dr. Dharia brings a comprehensive approach to advancing pediatric respiratory care. Read more.