About Us

Committees

Patient Advisory Board

What is the INHALE Patient Advisory Board (PAB)?

The INHALE Patient Advisory Board (PAB) began in November 2023. Comprised of 8 individuals, the group hopes to bring awareness and advocacy to patients living with asthma and COPD.

During the first year of the PAB, the group has:

Finalized group agreements
Determined the priorities of the PAB which include:
- Developing patient education materials and tools
Selected 2 PAB Group Co-Chairs
Reviewed materials such as:
- OCS overuse infographic
- Asthma Action Plans
  - Adult
  - Pediatric
- COPD Action Plan
- Reviewing materials in our resource library
- Participating in interviews about website improvements
- Sharing INHALE resources with patients
- Learning more about lived environments impacting health
Advisor participated on a panel at Pediatric Fall 2024 Regional Meeting
Advisor spoke on the importance of Pulmonary Rehab at Spring 2025 Regional Meeting

In 2025, the PAB will be finalizing:

Patient Toolkits for Adult Asthma, Pediatric Asthma, and COPD
Patient Previsit Worksheet

Of the 8 advisors, 8 are living with asthma or are caregiving for someone living with asthma. One patient is living with COPD, and another advisor cares for a patient living with COPD. The goals of the advisory board are to:

Give voice to individuals living with asthma and COPD
Listen and learn from all of our members’ experiences
Use that knowledge to make more informed decisions in care
Education and awareness for patients living with asthma and COPD
1. Plain language, easy access to resources
Expand outreach to communities most impacted by asthma and COPD
Advocating for insurance coverage for medications and other devices-bring human voice to insurance coverage
Providing insights around for your own personal health management
Equity of care, access, and environment-including health disparities
Bring ideas for improvement to INHALE

The board meets every other month and welcomes any interested providers to join to learn more or ask questions.

At the center of our work is a group of patients and caregivers who meet six times a year to discuss and share their experiences. As a patient and/or caregiver affected by asthma or COPD, we hope you will consider joining for our next round of recruitment in 2025. Our PAB members meet others and work with the INHALE team to:

Help us understand the issues facing people with asthma and COPD
Brainstorm ideas for how to better support patients and their communities
Give input on tools and services
Work together with other patients, families and caregivers
Help us make programs and services that work for patients with asthma or COPD
Discuss data and share ideas about using data to improve care
Work with the community to help people understand how best to take care of their lungs

Future Meetings:

5/5/25 6-7pm
7/7/25 12-1pm
September 2025 (date TBD) 6-7pm
11/3/25 12-1pm

What Does Being a Patient Advisor Mean?

The PAB meets for 1 hour once every two months. The meetings are held virtually via Zoom. Members can join the meeting using their computer, tablet, smartphone, or by calling in using a home phone. Each meeting will follow a loose format where INHALE team members will guide the conversation and gather feedback. Lively and engaging conversation from all members is encouraged and all viewpoints are heard and respected.

Patient Advisors are asked to commit to at least a year (6 meetings) of membership, although we understand that unexpected circumstances can come up that may prevent you from continuing your participation. Advisors will be required to sign a Participant Agreement and Code of Conduct Policy. This will ensure that all members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts without judgment.

For your time and participation, members will be paid $50 via check for each attended session.