The High-Risk Asthma Program at Lurie Children's takes a multidisciplinary approach to provide comprehensive care for patients with severe and difficult-to-control asthma. Employing a patient-centered approach to care, the program aims to better control the severity of attacks, prevent asthma exacerbations, and improve the quality of life for the patient and family. The program addresses treatment barriers and co-occurring conditions that lead to the severity of the disease.
What to Expect During a Clinic Visit
We collaborate with each family to develop a detailed asthma treatment plan which includes identifying and avoiding triggers, preventing asthma exacerbations, managing symptoms when they occur, and adjusting medication plans as your child grows and changes.
High-Risk Asthma Visits include:
- Pulmonary Function Testing
- Asthma education and environmental assessments with an asthma educator
- Nurse coordination of prescription coverage and appointments with other specialists
- Access to a social worker for insurance barriers, mental health resources, and advocacy for stable housing and school accommodations
- Pulmonary specialist evaluation which incorporates family values to develop a personalized care plan
- Combined visits with an allergist or endocrinologist if needed
- Labs and imaging if needed
Asthma Mobile Clinic
The Lurie Children's Mobile Health Program allows families to receive the same level of multifaceted, culturally-informed service from Lurie Children’s physicians and allied health professionals in their neighborhood on a mobile unit, rather than at a brick-and-mortar facility. This program is run in partnership with the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Health Communities.
Meet the Team
Our integrated team of physicians, pediatric nurse practitioners, pediatric nursing staff, and allied health professionals seamlessly coordinates to provide care and treatment plans.
The High-Risk Asthma Team consists of Pulmonologists and Pulmonary Advanced Practice Providers, Endocrinologists, Allergy Specialists, Asthma Educators, Respiratory Therapists, Registered Nurses, Nurse Coordinators, Social Work, and Administrative Assistants.
The High-Risk Asthma Program at Lurie Children's is led by Avani V. Shah, MD, Attending Physician, Pulmonary Medicine. Dr. Shah is board-certified in pediatric pulmonology and pediatrics.
Avani V. Shah, MD
Medical Director, High Risk Asthma Program, Fellowship Associate Program Director; Attending Physician, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Emily R. Simmons, APRN-NP, CPNP-PC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine; Clinical Director, High Risk Asthma Clinic; Clinical Director, Mobile Asthma Clinic
Alexandra Kacena, APRN-NP, CPNP-PC
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine; Clinical Director, Mobile Asthma Clinic; High Risk Asthma Clinic
Additional Services
The High-Risk Asthma team collaborates with Lurie Children’s Allergy and Endocrinology teams to address environmental allergies and adverse effects of chronic steroids. Multidisciplinary visits allow for a comprehensive approach to create an effective treatment plan in one clinic visit, which ultimately improves patient outcomes and quality of life. By using a multi-faceted approach to care, the High-Risk Asthma Clinic addresses all aspects of asthma including comorbidities and social influencers of health to provide the highest-quality care to children with asthma.
Endocrinology Providers
Priya Khanna, MD
Attending Physician, Endocrinology
Jennifer L. Miller, MD, CCD
Attending Physician, Endocrinology; Medical Director, Bone Health Program
Allergy Providers
Research
In addition to providing excellent clinical care, the program collaborates with scientific investigators to learn about different aspects of asthma care and improve our knowledge and understanding of pediatric asthma management. The program has collaborated with local colleagues as well as colleagues across the country. Their work has resulted in the receipt of internal grant funding to understand and address social influencers of health on asthma control and participation in a national multicenter project evaluating current standards of practice in pediatric severe asthma.
Resources & Support
We partner with community organizations to provide accessible resources and support to patients and families.
- Sinai Urban Health Institute
- Chicago Asthma Consortium
- American Lung Association
- Respiratory Health Association
Read more about asthma’s symptoms and treatments.