SuperKids Asthma Initiative

Asthma effects thousands of children each year. Poorly controlled asthma
may impair a child’s ability to attend school, affect his or her
academic performance, and cause parents to miss work to care for an ill
child. The SuperKids Asthma Initiative, funded by Valley Health and Winchester
Medical Foundation and developed by a team of physicians, nurses, respiratory
therapists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, provides education
and support to children with asthma and their families. The goal of the
SuperKids Asthma Initiative is to help children achieve their full potential
despite having asthma.
The SuperKids Asthma Initiative Toolbox is a resource for children with
asthma and their parents. The contents of the toolbox reinforce the education
received from physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other healthcare
professionals. The toolboxes are provided to children being discharged
from Winchester Medical Center.

Special thanks to the
Winchester Medical Center Foundation for their financial support of the Camp SuperKids Asthma Initiative.
Steering Committee
Tanya Armstrong - Child Life Coordinator, Winchester Medical Center
Rhonda Brooks - Cardiovascular Lab, Winchester Medical Center
Robert J. Diaz - Physical Therapist, Winchester Medical Center
Sarah A. Parnapy Jawaid, Pharm.D. - Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Bernard J. Dunn School
of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University
Paul Stillwagon, MD - Allergy Partners of the Shenandoah Valley
Michael Wade - Program Manager, Marketing & Communications, Valley Health
Stephanie Willard, BSRT, RRT-NPS - Clinical Operations Manager, Respiratory Therapy, Winchester Medical Center
Wayne Worden - Corporate Director, Pulmonary Services, Valley Health
History
Valley Health and Winchester Medical Center have a long history of helping
children with asthma. Camp SuperKids began in 1991 as a one-day educational
event. The program grew into a three-day overnight camp held at a retreat
center located outside Winchester, Virginia. Camp SuperKids provided a
camp experience for children with asthma who might not otherwise attend camp.
In 2017 and 2018 the strategies for reaching children with asthma were
evaluated and reimagined. The result is the SuperKids Asthma Initiative.
By engaging with children and parents at the time of discharge after an
asthma-related hospital admission, the program provides support and education
at a key time when kids (and their parents) are eager to learn how to
manage their asthma and get back to their normal activities.
Resources