June 20, 2001
Lung Association names Soyring Professional of the Year
Traverse City resident driving force behind school asthma management program
By Lisa Perkins
Herald staff writer
Tina Soyring of Traverse City has been named Professional of the Year by the American Lung Association of Michigan during the Associations' annual meeting earlier this month.
Soyring was nominated for the award by northwest regional manager, Laura Sutherin, who described Soyring as someone to "call-ask-and you will receive," when speaking about her dedication to the causes fostered by the American Lung Association.
Soyring was described by Sutherin as the driving force behind the Open Airways for Schools asthma management program in Traverse City.
"Six years ago the American Lung Association came out with the Open Airways for Schools program, she took it on and is why we now have the program in northern Michigan schools," Sutherin said, "It's because of her enthusiasm and dedication, it comes from her heart."
According to the American Lung Association, the Open Airways for Schools program helps children ages eight through 11 learn how to take care of their asthma on a daily basis. The program helps them:
- Take steps to prevent asthma episodes
- Recognize the symptoms of asthma when they first occur, and carry out appropriate management steps
- Discuss and solve problems related to asthma with parents, doctors, teachers and friends
- Feel more confident about taking care of asthma on a daily basis
Soyring, a patient educator at Munson Medical Center, not only worked to get the program into area schools but volunteers to teach Open Airways, as well. The program consists of six 40-minute group lessons that are held during the school day, along with take-home assignments. She has recently trained other volunteers to teach as well. More than 200 students have participated in the program since its inception.
"I felt that this was a wonderful way to educate children about their asthma," Soyring said. "It offers a support group, kids realize that they are not alone. It also helps them problem solve, like being able to talk to a parent who smokes in the home."
Soyring is also actively involved in fundraising efforts for the American Lung Association including the recent Breath of Life walk in which she and her teammates from the Asthma Coalition of Northwest Michigan raised the most money.
Soyring plans to continue her involvement with the Open Airway program in order to educate children in the Traverse City area about the disease. "This program can really make a difference in the quality of their lives."