Nationally Recognized Hurley Asthma Center Celebrates Asthma Awareness Month: Unveils Hurleyasthmakids.com - Newest Educational Tool for Patients & Families World-Wide

Pediatric Asthma Patients Star in new Educational Asthma Video; Unveiled for the Media for the First Time at Hurley

FLINT, Mich., May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At Hurley Medical Center, we take asthma very seriously. In fact, we're a leader in the state of Michigan for asthma care, with the only home-based Asthma Disease Management program in the region. Our Asthma Disease Managers go to health fairs, schools, churches and synagogues, doctors' offices, and community centers to teach people how to control, and prevent, asthma. Now, we have a new tool for patients and families everywhere: http://www.Hurleyasthmakids.com.

The Genesee County Asthma Network (GCAN) is a team of people who try to reduce asthma in our community. Teachers, parents, pharmacists, doctors, and school nurses are all part of this network.  "The GCAN is dedicated to educating and improving support services for children with asthma in the community, including a day camp for kids with asthma and the development of family support groups. We are honored to be able to educate the public in this way, day in and day out, and really change children's lives, for the better. Today, the http://www.Hurleyasthmakids.com website will allow us to take that education to a whole new level," says Jan Roberts, RN AE-C, coordinator at the GCAN.

The Genesee County Asthma Network involves home visits, school/daycare/worksite visits, and physician office visits. Their plan of care allows them to follow a patient for up to 18 months to help them manage not only their asthma, but their environment as well.

"Asthma can often be controlled, and the most important thing is to not only teach kids how to manage this disease, but to continue the treatment as needed. That can mean the different between life and death, in some cases. http://www.Hurleyasthmakids.com is a wonderful way to educate people around Genesee County, and the world-- of what asthma is, and how to treat it and manage it successfully," adds Brian Nolan, MD, Director, Clinical Pediatrics at Hurley.

GCAN is one of 11 asthma coalitions in the state of Michigan, and was approached by the Michigan Department of Community Health about serving as a pilot program for others to follow around Michigan. GCAN has also received numerous statewide AND national health awareness awards through the years.

Awards for Hurley Medical Center's Outstanding Asthma Programs

In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the Genesee County Asthma Network and the Hurley Medical Center Asthma Clinical Outreach Program for the outstanding way they address environmental triggers as part of their comprehensive asthma care programs. Only five national organizations received this prestigious award.

In 2007, the Genesee County Childhood Asthma Task Force was honored by the EPA with a National Exemplary Award for Asthma Management. As the only county in the state of Michigan that showed a decrease in asthma morbidity and mortality, Genesee County and Hurley Medical Center are models for other asthma programs across the country.

In 2006, Governor Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan Department of Community Health selected Hurley Medical Center as one of 23 Hometown Health Heroes in the state of Michigan. Hurley received this honor for working tirelessly to maintain and improve the health of its local community.

In 2005, Hurley Medical Center received the Ludwig Award from the Michigan Hospital Association for excellence in asthma education and support services for children.

Hurley Medical Center is a 443-bed premier public teaching hospital located in the heart of Genesee County, Michigan.  As the region's only Level I Trauma Center, Burn Center, and the highest level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) available in Genesee County, Hurley is a recognized leader in clinical care and education, maintaining affiliations with Michigan State University, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan-Flint, Mott Community College and Henry Ford Health System. Founded in 1908, Hurley provides patient care for more than 100,000 people annually.

SOURCE Hurley Medical Center