IN THE NEWS

The National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) welcomes new board members Lynn B. Gerald, PhD, MSPH; Scott A. Wolf, DO, MPH, FACP; Kristin Homze, RN, BSN, AE-C; and Marianna Sockrider, MD, DrPH, AE-C to join in the goal of quality asthma education through the certification process. Current board member Gregory MD, AE-C was re-elected for a second term.

The NAECB held its first certificant-only voting election in November 2003 with an illustrious slate of nominees in five categories: behavioral science, primary provider, patient advocate, pediatric asthma specialist, and health educator. Ballots were sent to nearly five hundred certificants. The Board acknowledges and appreciates the participation of many of these certificants in the voting process. With the addition of these new board members, the NAECB is excited about the energy and excitement created by these dedicated and professional individuals and welcomes their ideas in creating a standard of excellence for healthcare professionals throughout the country and world.

*Behavioral Science - Lynn B. Gerald, PhD, MSPH
Assistant Director/Assistant Professor
University of Alabama at Birmingham Lung Health Center

Dr. Gerald received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her Master’s in Sociology was obtained at the University of South Alabama. She received her MSPH in Epidemiology and her PhD in Medical Sociology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her major research interests are clinical, behavioral and epidemiological research in tuberculosis, asthma, and COPD. She has served as a board member for the American Lung Association of Alabama and in leadership in the American Thoracic Society in the Behavioral Sciences Assembly. She has received research grants from BlueCross/BlueShield of Alabama, EPA, NHLBI, and the American Lung Association. She has had many articles and abstracts published and has given a number of presentations.

*Primary Provider - Scott A. Wolf, DO, MPH, FACP
Director, Clinical Operations, Ambulatory Medicine
Director, Asthma Control & Education (A.C.E.)

Dr. Wolf holds a dual degree in Biology and Psychology from Union College and received his Doctor of Osteopathy at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of CT and served as chief medical resident at Hartford Hospital. He received his Masters of Public Health from the University of CT with a focus on disease management applications in inner city health care. His primary research interest is in disease management and population healthcare. Dr. Wolf developed and implemented the A.C.E. program, targeting inner city Hispanic individuals with asthma. He has held leadership positions in the American College of Physicians and has numerous publications and presentations.

*Patient Advocate - Kristin Homze, RN, BSN, AE-C
Senior Community Program Coordinator
American Lung Association of Massachusetts

Ms. Homze received her BSN from Simmons College and is currently pursuing her Master’s of Education in Health Promotion from Bridgewater State College. Her areas of expertise include asthma and allergies / pulmonary medicine (clinical and ICU) and program development and implementation. She has served on the Congress of Lung Association Staff national board/committee. She has extensive certifications including Open Airways Master Trainer and Freedom From Smoking Trainer.

*Pediatric Asthma Specialist - Gregory Redding MD AE-C
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine
Chief, Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital and Regional
Medical Center, Seattle, Washington

Dr. Redding received a BA in Biology from University of California, San Diego, his MD from Stanford University, and completed a pediatric residency at Harbor-UCLA in California. He completed his Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship at University of Colorado School of Medicine. His area of asthma expertise is epidemiology and systems of health care for the management of pediatric asthma. He has received research grants from the NIH, CDC, and Maternal and Child Health Bureau. He has served in leadership positions in the American Thoracic Society and has served one term on the NAECB Executive Board. He has published numerous original research articles and has given many invited regional, national, and international presentations pertaining to pediatric respiratory disease.

*Health Educator - Marianna Sockrider, MD, DrPH, AE-C
Pediatric Pulmonologist
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine
Adjunct Faculty Member in Behavioral Science, University of Texas, School of Public Health

Dr. Sockrider received a dual degree in Biology and Chemistry and her MD from the University of Missouri. A pediatric internship and residency was completed at The Children’s Mercy Hospital in Missouri. A pediatric pulmonary disease postdoctoral fellowship was completed at Baylor College of Medicine with another postdoctoral fellowship in health promotion at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center. She has conducted significant research and has numerous publications and abstracts. She has held leadership positions with the American Thoracic Society on the Education Committee, The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) and has served on the Examination Development Committee for the NAECB. Her areas of expertise include disease prevention, research in design/evaluation of patient and provider self-management interventions, and medical education.