Current Chair: Belinda Huffman,   Children's Medical Center, Dayton

Education Committee
The Education Committee coordinates and provides oversight of all educational activities of the OAC. The Education Committee serves in a technical advisory role to other committees and aids in the development of actual curriculum and methods of delivery. The committee also recommends educational materials to be used by patients and programs. Other responsibilities include setting standards for asthma educational programs recommended by the OAC and development of an asthma education clearing house.

Current Chair: Belinda Huffman, BS, RRT, CPFT, Children's Medical Center, Dayton

Clinical Practice Committee
The purpose of the Clinical Practice Committee is to create and maintain the infrastructure necessary for promoting the use of evidence-based practices such as the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute guidelines, by Ohio health care providers caring for asthmatic patients. Much of this work will be done through education and provision of tools for physicians and work with health systems and health plans. Particular emphasis will be put on improving care for those with health issues.

Current Chair: Marilyn Walton, MHHS, RRT, AE-C, Akron Children's Hospital
Co-chair: Dawn Bolyard, RN, MSN, PNP, Mercy Children's Hospital, Toledo

Advocacy/Legislation Subcommittee
Advocacy and legislation concerns are covered in a subcommittee that functions under the guidance of the OAC Steering Committee. The subcommittee is charged with the development and dissemination of a public policy agenda that identifies major legislative and regulatory objectives and presents strategies for achieving them. It also promotes the development of a legislative network for the purpose of activating stakeholders on asthma legislative and regulatory issues.

Current Chair: Shalini Forbis, MD, Wright State University

Environmental Committee
The Environmental Committee is charged with developing and implementing cost-effective strategies that focus on identifying and reducing asthmatics' exposure to triggers occurring in the environment. The committee, in conjunction with other committees of the OAC, will gather, evaluate and disseminate scientific information to support the development of policies, legislation and programs that are geared toward the assessment and control of environmental asthma triggers.

Current Chair: Glen Needham, PhD, Ohio State University
Co-Chair: Paul Koval, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

Public Awareness Committee
The Public Awareness Committee strives to develop and implement strategies that focus on enhancing general public awareness and education about asthma through various media. Additionally, it has oversight responsibility for Web site entries and development, printed publications, news releases and other information about the OAC.

Current Chair: Tia Trivison, BA, Envirotest Systems Corp.

Data/Research Committee
The purpose of the Data and Research Committee is to facilitate the development and maintenance of a statewide population-based asthma surveillance system. The committee also strives to ensure the distribution and use of surveillance information throughout the state to aid in the development of asthma interventions and local coalition activity. It also works to provide a forum for the generation and sharing of research related to asthma in the State of Ohio.

Current Chair: Mandy Burkett, MA, Ohio Department of Health

Community Mobilization Committee
The Community Mobilization Commitee is focused on developing community strategies to address the issue of asthma. The committee nurtures community systems including local/regional asthma coalitions and other community-support organizations to improve quality of life for people with asthma.

Current Chair: Roberta Taylor, Premier Community Health

* All committees will consider asthma issues for all age groups in all environments.