Presented By: Dr. Sharmilee Nyenhuis

Topic: Healthy Housing

Join us for CAC's Spring 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, February through May 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.

This event is FREE to attend for all!
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

Dr. Sharmilee Nyenhuis 
Associate Professor, University of Chicago

Dr. Sharmilee M. Nyenhuis is an esteemed Physician at the University of Chicago Medicine, where she holds the position of Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine. Specializing in Allergy and Immunology, with a particular focus on Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Dr. Nyenhuis brings over a decade of clinical expertise to her practice, with a strong emphasis on pediatric asthma management. Read more. 

Presented By: Gloria E. Barrera, MSN, RN, PEL-CSN

Topic: Managing Asthma in Schools: Beyond the Basics

Join us for the first session in our new series designed specifically for school nurses! Managing Asthma in Schools: Beyond the Basics will provide practical strategies to enhance asthma care in school settings.

Key topics include:

Gain valuable insights and resources to support students with asthma and ensure a safe, healthy learning environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your expertise and connect with fellow school health professionals!

This event is FREE to attend! The School Nurse 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

Gloria E. Barrera, MSN, RN, PEL-CSN
Certified School Nurse

Gloria E. Barrera, MSN, RN, PEL-CSN currently works as a certified school nurse at a public high school outside of Chicago, and as visiting professor of nursing at UIC. She is committed to being a lifelong learner and continues her efforts in improving child health outcomes in our most vulnerable populations through her current practice, advocacy, and teaching.

Barrera was the first Latina President of Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) and served during the pandemic. She’s engaged with ANA-Illinois by serving on the Executive Board as Secretary. Gloria was appointed to the IDPH Diversity in Health Care Professions Task Force as well as the Governor’s Illinois Terrorism Task Force’s School Safety Committee. Barrera has demonstrated her deep commitment to helping others through her volunteerism and community service with various non-profit organizations where she shares her expertise and serves as a leader. She is a Fellow of the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE), a Climate Health Organizing (CHEEA) Fellow and Co-Founder of Nurse Heroes for Zero (NHFZ). Barrera is considered a subject matter expert in school nursing, environmental advocacy and health equity, and public health. Barrera is invested in mentoring the next generation of nurse leaders and is Co-Founder of the Society of Latinx Nurses. She’s been recognized for her leadership and service by several organizations, both locally and nationally. Barrera was recognized as 40 Under Forty by ANA-Illinois in its second year, named 40 Under Forty in Public Health by the de Beaumont Foundation and Nurse Influencer of the year by ANA-Illinois in 2023.

You may connect with Gloria via LinkedIn.

Sponsor the Chicago Asthma Consortium World Asthma Day Conference!

Join us in making a lasting impact at the Chicago Asthma Consortium’s World Asthma Day Conference! This premier event brings together healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates, and community leaders.

Learn More About The Conference

Sponsorship Opportunities: Sponsorship Prospectus

Premier Sponsor $5,000

• 30 second video spot broadcast during breaks and on event page
• Acknowledgement of sponsorship in digital invitations and promotions
• Opportunity to address the audience for 1 minute during the conference
• Linked logo and short description on CAC website
• Verbal recognition at the event
• Recognition slide at the event
• Dedicated social media shoutout
• Post event attendee list of names and organizations
• Tabletop setup at conference in poster room

Partner Sponsor $2,500

• Acknowledgement of sponsorship in digital invitations and promotions
• Opportunity to address the audience for 1 minute during the conference
• Linked logo and short description on CAC website
• Verbal recognition at the event
• Recognition slide at the event
• Dedicated social media shoutout
• Tabletop setup at conference in poster room

Supporter Sponsor $1,500

• Linked logo and short description on CAC website
• Verbal recognition at the event
• Recognition slide at the event
• Dedicated social media shoutout

Advocate Sponsor $500

• Linked logo and short description on CAC website
• Dedicated social media shoutout

A La Carte Options

• Poster boards - $3500
• Breakfast sponsor - $2000
• Lunch sponsor - $2000
• Badges & Lanyards - $1500
• UIC Venue sponsor - $2500
• Tabletop at conference - $800
• Non-profit tabletop at conference - $400
• Poster presenter sponsor - $750

For customized sponsorship packages - please contact CAC’s Executive Director Rachelle Paul-Brutus at execdirector@chicagoasthma.org.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Premier Sponsor

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

CEU Credits are available!

Join us for a vital discussion on the future of asthma care, innovation, and advocacy. This event will bring together experts, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to explore urgent actions needed to improve asthma outcomes and advance health equity.

Registration Rates

CAC Member: $25 | CAC Member - CEU: $35
Non-member: $50 | Non-member - CEU: $65
Students: Free! Must register with school email

Selected Poster Presenters

Your registration includes up to two complimentary speaker tickets.
If you need a discount code to register, please contact info@chicagoasthma.org.

Poster Contributor: $15

Conference Schedule

• 8:00-9:00 - Poster set up
• 8:30-9:00 - Registration & breakfast
• 9:00-9:10 - Welcome
• 9:10-9:30 - CAC overview
• 9:30-9:45 - Seating open for Panel 1,  Room 605
• 9:45-10:45 - Panel 1: The Current State of Asthma: Insights from Diverse Lenses, Room 605
• 10:45-11:00 - Break
• 11:00-12:00 - Poster session, Room 603
• 11:30-12:00 - Lunch
• 12:00-12:15 - Seating open for Panel 2, Room 605
• 12:15-1:15 - Panel 2: From Insight to Action: Addressing the Asthma Crisis, Room 605
• 1:15 to 1:45 - Poster Awards
• 1:45 to 2pm - Closing remarks

Meet the Panelists

Panel 1: The Current State of Asthma: Insights from Diverse Lenses

Janice Henry, RN
Community Health Nurse
The Loretto Hospital
Learn More

Dr. Michael Kelleher
Senior Medical Director
Meridian YouthCare
Learn More

Andrea Pappalardo
Board-Certified Allergist-Immunologist, Internist, and Pediatrician
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine and UI Health
Learn More

Sarah Rittner: Facilitator
Founder & CEO
SASU Project Management
Learn More

Panel 2: From Insight to Action: Addressing the Asthma Crisis

Erica Salem, MPH
Senior Director
Strategy, Programs and Policy at Respiratory Health Association
Learn More

Matt Siemer
Executive Director
Mobile Care Chicago
Learn More

Karmin Wright
Asthma Outreach and Education Coordinator
South Side Pediatric Asthma Center
Learn More

Helen Hammond Redding, MBA: Facilitator
Founder, Executive Director
Christopher D. Redding Youth Asthma Foundation
Learn More

Sponsor World Asthma Day!

We offer a range of sponsorship packages tailored to every level of support. Explore our opportunities and join us in advancing CAC’s mission to improve the quality of life for those with asthma through advocacy, education, and collaboration.

Learn More

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Premier Sponsor

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

Presented By: TBA

This event is FREE to attend

 The School Nurse 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: Dr. Payel Gupta

Topic: Asthma Remission

Join us for CAC's Spring 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, February through May 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.

This event is FREE to attend for all!
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

Dr. Payel Gupta
Assistant Clinical Professor

Dr. Gupta is an Assistant Clinical Professor at both SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York. She is triple board certified and holds certifications from the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, the American Board of Internal Medicine, and the American Board of Pediatrics.

She is practices in 29 states through telemedicine and also sees patients in Brooklyn, treating both adult and pediatric patients with asthma, environmental allergies, allergic skin conditions, immune disorders and food allergies.

She is a Volunteer National Spokesperson for the American Lung Association and is past President of the New York Allergy & Asthma Society.

She is Co-Host on The Itch Podcast (www.itchpodcast.com), a podcast dedicated to helping patients understand their allergic conditions.

Presented By: TBA

Topic: Indoor Air Quality and Student Health

In the third session of our series, Indoor Air Quality & Student Health, we will focus on the significant impact of air quality on asthma and overall student health. School nurses will gain valuable knowledge on how indoor air quality affects respiratory conditions and the well-being of students.

Key topics include:

This session will empower school nurses with the tools to advocate for healthier indoor air and create safer environments for students with asthma and other respiratory conditions.

This event is FREE to attend

 The School Nurse 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!