Join Us in Phoenix for the 2026 USAsthma Summit

Published: July 28, 2026

Revised: November 4th, 2026

Logos for Allergy & Asthma Network and American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology above bold text: "USAsthma Summit." The word "SUMMIT" is in yellow.

We’re excited to invite you to the 12th annual USAsthma Summit on November 13, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona! Whether you join us in person or via our interactive livestream, this free, one‑day event is your chance to connect with the people shaping the future of asthma care.

Hosted by Allergy & Asthma Network in partnership with the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), the Summit brings together patients, caregivers, clinicians, public health leaders, and community partners for a day full of learning, conversation, and inspiration.

Why You’ll Love This Event

The USAsthma Summit is all about bringing real‑world experience and expert insight together. You’ll hear from national leaders and lived‑experience voices on:

The latest trends in asthma care.
What’s working in community asthma programs.
Best practices you can use right away.
Policy changes shaping care and access.
Stories and perspectives that spark new ideas.

It’s a high‑impact day of discussions designed to help you strengthen advocacy, close gaps in care, and support better outcomes for people living with asthma.

Who Should Join Us?

Short answer: everyone who cares about asthma!

Longer answer: People living with asthma, caregivers, community health workers, clinicians (allergists, pulmonologists, pediatricians, primary care providers, APPs, educators, school nurses), public health practitioners, coalition members, and anyone who wants to learn, connect, and be part of improving asthma care.

What’s on the Agenda for 2026?

We’re still finalizing the agenda, but here’s an early look at some of the key topics and speakers:

The Asthma Landscape in the United States, Cherie Zachary, MD, FACAAI, President of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI)
Creating Asthma-Friendly Environments: Action, Innovation and Leadership, Matthew Hiester, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Integrating Evidence-Based Behavioral Health Into Asthma Care, Amanda Whitehouse, PhD
Bridging Medicine, Research and Community: The Community Health Worker as a Healthcare Provider & Research Extender in Asthma Care, Floribella Redondo-Martinez, CCHW, BS
SA Kids BREATHE: An Advocacy and Public Health Intervention, Mandie Svatek, MD
The Great Digital Debate: How AI and Social Media Shape Asthma Care, Payel Gupta, MD and Michael Blaiss, MD
Federal Mandates, Local Realities: Strategic Priorities to Advance Asthma Care Delivery in the 120th Congress, Miriam O’Day, Payel Gupta, MD and Ashley Strozier
Patients at the Center of Asthma Care: Real Stories, Real Perspectives, Ashley Strozier, Clarissa Ruffin and Richard Rendondo.

Meet the Speakers: Diverse Voices Advancing Asthma Care

The most meaningful progress in asthma care happens when diverse perspectives come together. Allergy & Asthma Network’s 2026 USAsthma Summit features an impressive lineup of leaders across medicine, public and environmental health, behavioral health, community health and patient advocacy, alongside individuals bringing valuable lived experience. Together, these voices offer unique insights into the challenges facing people with asthma and opportunities to advance patient-centered care, health equity and better health outcomes.

The Asthma Landscape in the United States

Cherie Zachary, MD, FACAAI, is the President of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). She is a board-certified allergist and immunologist with 34 years of experience. From Bloomington, Minnesota, Dr. Zachary has served two terms on the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. She has also served on numerous ACAAI committees, including the ACAAI Advocacy Council, Annual Meeting Program Committee, Board of Regents, Budget/Finance Committee, Ethics Committee, Diversity and Equity Committee, and the ACAAI Foundation Board. Dr. Zachary was named a Distinguished Fellow of the College in 2019.

A smiling woman with long dark hair looking toward the camera.

Integrating Evidence-Based Behavioral Health into Asthma Care

Amanda Whitehouse, PhD, is a licensed psychologist specializing in the mental health impact of allergies, asthma, celiac disease, and other chronic illnesses. She is the mother of three boys, one of whom has multiple food and environmental allergies and asthma. She also managed her own food and environmental allergies and asthma as a child.

Dr. Whitehouse is the creator and host of the Don’t Feed the Fear podcast, which explores topics related to allergies and mental health. Her recently published book, From Fear to Freedom: A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy, is a guide to the social and emotional aspects of allergy management, decision‑making, and treatments. She is also active in advocacy and education on Instagram and Facebook via her account @thefoodallergypsychologist.

A smiling woman wearing a knit beanie and scarf, with snow-covered mountains in the background.

Creating Asthma-Friendly Environments: Action, Innovation and Leadership

Lauren E. Gentile, PhD, is a Geographer with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Indoor Environments Division. She specializes in environmental impact and risk analysis and understanding the complex dynamics between humans and their environment. Lauren provides scientific, risk communications and programmatic support on natural hazards and emergencies, as well as on indoor air quality and public health.

Creating Asthma-Friendly Environments: Action, Innovation and Leadership

Isabella Ameglio is a Fellow for the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) working in the EPA’s Indoor Environments Division. She has worked with the division’s Asthma Team for more than three years to address indoor environmental factors impacting respiratory health. Isabella also works on topics related to school indoor air quality and indoor air quality science.

Creating Asthma-Friendly Environments: Action, Innovation and Leadership

Matthew Hiester, MPA, is an Environmental Protection Specialist in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Center for Asthma and Schools, Indoor Environments Division. In addition to environmental asthma management, Matthew works on issues related to indoor air quality management in schools. He also focuses on emergencies and indoor air quality for EPA’s Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery Team.

Federal Mandates, Local Realities: Strategic Priorities to Advance Asthma Care Delivery in the 120th Congress

Miriam O’Day has supported mission-driven, nonprofit health organizations for 25+ years. She serves as Senior Vice President for Government Affairs for the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), focusing on advancing the profession of Respiratory Therapy through federal and state policy. Miriam leads the legislative effort to make the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC) a reality by working with partners at the Council or State Governments and the Department of Defense. She represents AARC with Members of Congress, federal agencies and regulators and coordinates the annual Capitol Hill Fly-In.

SA Kids BREATHE: An Advocacy and Public Health Intervention

Mandie Tibball Svatek, MD, is an Associate Professor at UT Health San Antonio and a pediatric hospitalist at University Health. With 21 years of experience, she specializes in quality improvement and pediatric asthma advocacy. She chairs the South Texas Asthma Coalition (STAC) and serves as Medical Advisor for SA Kids BREATHE, a city-funded program she helped launch to support high-risk children with asthma.
Dr. Svatek also chairs the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Stock Epinephrine Advisory Committee, advocating for access to unassigned albuterol for students experiencing respiratory distress at school. Most recently, she was selected as a project co-lead for the American Academy of Pediatrics’ ASTHMA National Discharge Quality Improvement Collaborative through the Pediatric Acute and Critical Care Quality Network. This initiative aims to integrate evidence-based asthma care into hospitals nationwide and reduce 30-day return visits.

“The Great Digital Debate: How AI and Social Media Shape Asthma Care” and “Federal Mandates, Local Realities: Strategic Priorities to Advance Asthma Care Delivery in the 120th Congress”

Payel Gupta, MD, FACAAI, is an Assistant Clinical Professor at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. She maintains a Brooklyn-based practice treating adults and children and is licensed in 29 states to provide virtual care nationwide.

Dr. Gupta is a volunteer national spokesperson for the American Lung Association, past president of the New York Allergy & Asthma Society and serves on Allergy & Asthma Network’s Medical Advisory Council. She is also a co-host of The Itch Podcast, which helps educate patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers about allergic and immunologic diseases in an accessible, evidence-based way. Living with asthma, eczema and allergies herself, Dr. Gupta brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to her work improving care for patients nationwide.

“The Great Digital Debate: How AI and Social Media Shape Asthma Care” and “Federal Mandates, Local Realities: Strategic Priorities to Advance Asthma Care Delivery in the 120th Congress”

Michael S. Blaiss, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Allergy/Immunology at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia, and a board-certified allergist at Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett in Norcross, Georgia. A distinguished leader in the field, Dr. Blaiss is a past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). He previously held leadership roles as Executive Medical Director of the ACAAI, Treasurer of the American Board of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and served on the Board of Directors for the World Allergy Organization. Dr. Blaiss has served as president of both the Louisiana and Tennessee Allergy Societies. He also brought clinical expertise to the pharmaceutical industry, holding roles as Medical Director at Merck and Global Medical Lead for Respiratory OTC at Pfizer.

Dr. Blaiss has published over 200 scientific peer-reviewed articles and presented at more than 500 international meetings and seminars. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences (AOA Honor Society), completed his pediatrics residency at University of Tennessee/Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center and his fellowship in allergy/immunology at Ochsner Medical Foundation.

Bridging Medicine, Research and Community: The Community Health Worker as a Healthcare Provider & Research Extender in Asthma Care

Floribella Redondo-Martinez, CCHW, is co-founder and CEO of the Arizona Community Health Workers Association (AzCHOW). Floribella is a nationally recognized leader in advancing the Community Health Worker (CHW) profession with more than 30 years of CHW experience and 25 years leading bilingual, bicultural programs. She has developed initiatives serving rural and underserved Arizona communities in areas including chronic disease prevention and management, behavioral and mental health, asthma and respiratory health, workforce development, leadership training, community-based health promotion and CHW curriculum development, training, research and evaluation.

Floribella helped lead the successful effort to secure Arizona’s CHW Voluntary Certification legislation and currently serves on the state’s CHW Voluntary Certification Advisory Board. She is also co-chair of the Arizona CHW Coalition, a core member of the National CHW Core Consensus Standards, a founding board member of the National Association of CHWs, and past chair of the APHA CHW Section.

A smiling woman with locs and hoop earrings.

Patients at the Center of Asthma Care: Real Stories, Real Perspectives

Ashley N. Strozier is a lifelong Flint resident, mother of four and passionate community advocate with more than 20 years of experience in youth development, family engagement and family services. She currently serves as Board Chair of Young, Gifted & Green and Chairwoman of the Genesee Intermediate School District Head Star Head Start Policy Council. Rooted in a deep commitment to service, Ashley is dedicated to empowering families, advocating for children, advancing equity and creating opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive. Her work reflects her belief that meaningful change begins with investing in people and strengthening the communities we call home.

Ashley’s impact has earned both local and national recognition. She has been nominated multiple times for Voices for Children’s Caring Adult Award. In 2024, she received the Early Career Community Award from the Healthy Flint Research Coordinating Center and was named one of Flint & Genesee Group’s 40 Under 40. She also received the Birthing Hope Award from YOLO Breastfeeding Doula & Lactation Services for her commitment to maternal and infant health, NICU family support and breastfeeding advocacy. Additionally, she was featured nationally in Washington, D.C., at the 2023 40 Under 40 Awards alongside Young, Gifted & Green, further highlighting her leadership in social change and advocacy.

A smiling person with braided hair and glasses.

Patients at the Center of Asthma Care: Real Stories, Real Perspectives

Clarissa Ruffin is a 14-year-old freshman and academic scholar at Flint Cultural Center Academy. As a child of the Flint Water Crisis, Clarissa grew up understanding firsthand how decisions about the environment, public health and community resources can directly affect children and families. For more than a decade, Clarissa has been invited to represent youth across Genesee County, sharing her experiences at conferences, community events and conversations focused on building healthier, stronger and more equitable communities for young people.

Clarissa’s commitment to advocacy and leadership is evident in her involvement with several youth-focused organizations. She has served locally and nationally on the Flint Youth Environmental Justice Council with Young, Gifted and Green, is a proud member of Delta GEMS (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully), under the leadership of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated – Flint Alumnae Chapter, and is a youth member of the Flint Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated. Through these experiences, Clarissa continues to build meaningful connections and learn the value of using her gifts to uplift others.

Patients at the Center of Asthma Care: Real Stories, Real Perspectives

Richard Redondo, CCHW, was diagnosed with asthma at 8 years old, and it was this experience that launched his public health journey, beginning with providing asthma education to other students. He has served as a patient advisor for the PREPARE asthma trial, contributing patient-centered study decisions, engagement strategies, and dissemination.

Richard is also a co-author and contributor to peer-reviewed research on patient engagement and asthma. He brings both lived experience and research expertise to conversations about equitable, community-informed approaches to improving asthma outcomes. Richard is Community Programs and Research Director at the Arizona Community Health Workers Association.