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In This Issue:
Albert Sheffer, II, MD, receives the 2009 Partners Asthma Center Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Partners Asthma Center recently celebrated two decades of commitment to the best possible medical care, cutting-edge research and asthma education for patients and care providers.
More than 100 people attended the 20th anniversary gala at the Boston Marriot Newton Hotel, emceed by WBZ-TV medical reporter Mallika Marshall, MD, who completed her residency at BWH.
It was a wonderful evening with many inspiring moments, said Jackie Rodriguez-Louis, MPH, MEd, who runs the community asthma program.
The Asthma Center boasts more than 50 physicians, nurses and educators at five Boston hospitals, including BWH, who work together to bring care to thousands of asthmatic children and adults throughout New England. Three patients were honored during the gala for their extraordinary accomplishments: Shannon Silvia, a high school senior and competitive figure skater; Bernadette Izzard-Stinson, a police officer; and Maureen Delpero, a professor of early childhood education.
These patients work very hard to keep their asthma under control, such that they are able to accomplish great things in spite of it, said Rodriguez-Louis.
The gala also honored state Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez (D-Jamaica Plain), chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health, for his work promoting awareness of asthma, and BWH Allergist Albert Sheffer, II, MD, with Partners Asthma Centers lifetime achievement award for his many contributions to the field of asthma and allergy. Asthma Center staff awarded a special gift to Christopher Fanta, MD, director of Partners Asthma Center, for his dedication to patients, students and colleagues.
The Partners Asthma Center is committed to taking on new initiatives this year, including launching a new Web site, making its asthma educators course available online for distance learning and helping to organize a Boston Asthma Consortium to explore the creation of a Boston Asthma Registry as a way to reduce morbidity from asthma in our neighborhood communities.