Comprehensive, Personalized Care for Patients with Asthma
The Advanced Asthma Center at the University of Florida provides state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary care for patients with asthma, including those with severe, difficult-to-control, and complex disease. Our center integrates clinical excellence, advanced diagnostics, biologic therapies, research, and patient education to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with asthma.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness, and underlying inflammation. Symptoms may include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough, which can vary in frequency and severity over time.
Asthma is a heterogeneous condition, meaning it can present differently from one patient to another. Factors such as genetics, environmental exposures, allergic sensitization, infections, and comorbid conditions contribute to disease expression. Effective asthma management requires accurate diagnosis, identification of asthma phenotype and endotype, and individualized treatment strategies.
Our Mission
The mission of the Advanced Asthma Center at the University of Florida is to:
- Deliver patient-centered, evidence-based care for all asthma phenotypes, with a focus on severe and uncontrolled disease
- Utilize precision medicine approaches, including biomarker-guided therapy
- Reduce asthma exacerbations, healthcare utilization, and treatment-related side effects
- Improve patient quality of life through education, self-management support, and care coordination
- Advance asthma care through clinical research, education, and advocacy
Comprehensive Asthma Evaluation
Patients referred to the Advanced Asthma Center undergo a thorough evaluation that may include:
- Detailed clinical assessment and asthma history
- Pulmonary function testing, including spirometry and bronchoprovocation when indicated
- Assessment of type 2 inflammation using biomarkers (e.g., blood eosinophils, FeNO, IgE)
- Evaluation of allergic and non-allergic triggers
- Identification and management of comorbid conditions (e.g., allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, GERD, obesity, vocal cord dysfunction)
- Review of inhaler technique, adherence, and environmental exposures
This comprehensive approach ensures accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment selection
Standard Asthma Therapy with Inhalers
Inhaled therapies remain the foundation of asthma management and are essential for achieving and maintaining disease control. Standard treatment includes the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as first-line anti-inflammatory therapy, often in combination with long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) for patients with persistent symptoms. Additional inhaled options may include long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) and short-acting bronchodilators for symptom relief. Our team emphasizes appropriate inhaler selection, correct technique, adherence, and stepwise adjustment of therapy in accordance with national and international asthma guidelines. Optimization of inhaled therapy is a critical step before escalation to advanced treatments, including biologic agents.
Advanced Asthma Therapies and Use of Biologics
For patients with moderate-to-severe asthma that remains uncontrolled despite standard therapy, the Advanced Asthma Center at the University of Florida offers access to FDA-approved biologic therapies. These targeted medications address specific inflammatory pathways involved in asthma and represent a major advancement in asthma care.
Biologic therapies may be appropriate for patients with:
- Severe eosinophilic asthma
- Allergic asthma
- Type 2 inflammatory asthma
- Frequent exacerbations or steroid dependence
Available biologic treatments target key immune pathways, including:
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
- Interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IL-5 receptor
- Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 pathways
- Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)
Our team carefully evaluates each patient to determine eligibility, selects the most appropriate biologic agent, and provides ongoing monitoring for effectiveness and safety. We also coordinate insurance authorization and infusion or injection services to ensure seamless care.
Multidisciplinary and Longitudinal Care
The Advanced Asthma Center brings together specialists in pulmonary medicine, allergy/immunology, nursing, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, and care coordination. This team-based approach allows us to provide:
- Individualized treatment plans
- Ongoing assessment of disease control and treatment response
- Steroid-sparing strategies
- Patient education and asthma action planning
- Transition of care between pediatric and adult services when appropriate
Research, Education, and Advocacy
As an academic center, we are committed to advancing the field of asthma through:
- Participation in clinical trials of emerging therapies
- Education of patients, trainees, and healthcare professionals
- Advocacy for improved asthma awareness, access to care, and health equity
Our Commitment to Patients
At the Advanced Asthma Center, we are dedicated to partnering with patients to achieve optimal asthma control, reduce disease burden, and empower individuals to live full, active lives.
Why Refer to the UF Advanced Asthma Center?
Patients should be referred to the Advanced Asthma Center when asthma remains uncontrolled, complex, or difficult to manage despite guideline-directed therapy. Our center offers expertise and resources beyond routine asthma care.
Specialized Expertise
- Evaluation and management by clinicians with expertise in severe and difficult-to-treat asthma
- Accurate phenotyping and endotyping to guide precision therapy
- Differentiation of asthma from asthma mimics and overlapping conditions
Access to Advanced Diagnostics
- Comprehensive pulmonary function testing
- Biomarker-driven assessment (eosinophils, FeNO, IgE)
- Allergy and trigger evaluation
- Assessment of comorbid conditions contributing to poor control
Biologic and Advanced Therapies
- Expertise in selection, initiation, and monitoring of FDA-approved biologic therapies
- Steroid-sparing treatment strategies
- Coordination of insurance authorization and infusion/injection services
Multidisciplinary, Patient-Centered Care
- Integrated care involving pulmonary, allergy/immunology, nursing, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, and care coordination
- Emphasis on education, inhaler technique, adherence, and asthma action planning
- Longitudinal follow-up with objective assessment of treatment response
Improved Outcomes and Reduced Utilization
- Focus on reducing exacerbations, emergency visits, hospitalizations, and systemic corticosteroid exposure
- Optimization of long-term asthma control and quality of life
Academic and Research Environment
- Access to clinical trials and emerging therapies
- Commitment to evidence-based care, education, and continuous quality improvement
We partner closely with referring providers, offering timely communication, shared decision-making, and co-management or transition back to primary or specialty care once asthma control is achieved.
Our Asthma Physicians
associate Professor of Medicine
Natalia Moguillansky
Medical Director, Pulmonary Function Lab
Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria
Associate Professor of Medicine
Eric Papierniak
Assistant professor of medicine
Adam Austin
Co-Director, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
