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Meet Our Team: Dani Loftus

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We are pleased to introduce you to Dani Loftus! She is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) & Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) who treats people of all ages at the Allergy, Asthma & Food Allergy Centers (AAFAC). Learn more about her in the Q&A below:

Q: How long have you worked at AAFA centers?

A: I joined AAFAC in November 2019. This is my first position after graduating with my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree in May 2019. Prior to joining AAFAC, I worked at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Q: What inspired you to be a nurse practitioner? 

A: I was inspired to become a nurse from growing up taking care of my grandmother who had diabetes. She was an inspiration and I miss her dearly. 

I wanted to become a nurse practitioner after experiencing the health care system from the perspective of the patient. In 2014 I had two tumors removed from my tongue, and I was hospitalized twice. I had to relearn to eat and how to talk. It was through that experience that I wanted to become a nurse practitioner. I chose to pursue my education through SIUE as I had excellent experiences attending the school for both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Q: What do you love most about your job?

A: I love that I am in an environment where I can continue to learn something new every day. I enjoy working with a physician team that is passionate about teaching!

Q: What are your hobbies outside of work?

A: Outside of work, I spend a lot of time with my family and our rescue pets. I enjoy playing board games and exploring new places. Travel is a passion of mine, and I have been fortunate to see many beautiful places including the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China!

 

Dr. Laura Esswein is joining our practice!

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A warm welcome by Dr. Vitale & the team at Allergy, Asthma & Food Allergy Centers:

Shortly after graduating from medical school and returning to St. Louis, a family friend recommended I connect with Dr. Laura Esswein. I was not particularly familiar with the field of Allergy/Immunology at the time. I called Dr. Esswein, having never met her. She generously allowed me to shadow her in her office. She took the time to teach me about the field. Invaluably, she also shared her experiences as a working mother and “woman in medicine.” Her example and mentoring stayed with me and were pivotal in my own decision to pursue Allergy/Immunology. It is a true honor to welcome Dr. Laura Esswein to our practice!

Dr. Esswein graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine. She completed her residency at St. Louis Children’s and her fellowship in Allergy/Immunology at Washington University Medical Center. She joins us after an illustrious 23 years with Mercy.

In addition to establishing herself as a leading Allergist/Immunologist in St. Louis, she and her husband have raised 6 children – two of which have followed their mother’s footsteps into medicine and one is in dental school.

She will be joining us this April. She will see patients in our Sunset Hills office and new West/Chesterfield office. We have a lot to look forward to!

Allergy Asthma Food Allergy Centers of St. Louis- Our New Name!

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As many of you know, our practice has a very large focus and significant expertise in food allergy- not just oral immunotherapy (“OIT”)/desensitization treatment for foods but also comprehensive management of food allergies.  We maintain our expertise in managing other allergic and immunologic conditions such as seasonal allergies, asthma, eczema, chronic hives, contact dermatitis, recurrent infections, and immune deficiencies. However, since treatment of food allergies has become a bigger proportion of our practice, we have decided to rebrand our practice with a new name that more closely corresponds with our mission statement.

Our mission is to use our expertise in allergy and immunology to improve the quality of life of adults and children through the diagnosis and management of asthma, food allergies, and allergic conditions.

We are thrilled to share with you our new name (Allergy Asthma Food Allergy Centers of St. Louis) and logos!

We also have a food allergy specific logo, which you will now find on our Food Allergy Center page of our website (http://aascare.com/our-services/food-allergy-center/).

We thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to continuing to partner with you and your families in pursuing our mutual goal, which is “FREEDOM FROM YOUR ALLERGIES”.


Sincerely,


Michael R. Borts, M.D.
Josie Vitale, M.D.
Manoj R. Warrier, M.D.

Midwest Food Allergy Conference, June 9-10

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View full pdf here.

Midwest FACES Conference
June 9-10 • Chicago, IL

Please mark your calendars for the first-ever Midwest Food Allergy Conference for Education and Science (Midwest FACES) on Saturday, June 9th and Sunday, June 10th, 2018. This conference is hosted by the Science and Outcomes of Allergy and Asthma Research Program (SOAAR) at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern Medicine.

Conference Details

Midwest FACES will bring together food allergy families, clinicians and key thought leaders throughout the Midwest region for two action-packed days of science, education, and engagement. Families who attend this conference will hear the latest research and advancements by top clinicians and researchers in the Midwest, connect with other families and build their network of support.

Additionally, at Midwest FACES, children with food allergies can find a supportive environment to connect with one another, and learn the latest research and techniques to help manage daily life with food allergies. Providing children with an opportunity to ask questions and engage with each other, clinicians, and researchers will empower them to better understand and manage their food allergy and build their network of support.

The Midwest FACES conference presents the perfect platform for exchanging ideas and creating connections among all dedicated stakeholders, in addition to learning the latest and greatest in food allergy research. Exhibitor booths will also provide an interactive, engaging space to connect food-allergic families with the industry leaders, including allergen-safe food companies and advocacy organizations- just to name a few!

Topic List

Midwest FACES will bring together food allergy families, clinicians, researchers and key thought leaders for two action-packed days that will include separate tracks for parents and children (ages 9+). Hot topics include:

  • Public Health Impact of Food Allergies
  • Diagnosis & Testing: What You Need to Know
  • Safe Food Ideas & Labeling Laws
  • School Issues: Plans, Policies, Peers & Pizza Parties
  • Microbiome & New Research
  • Immunotherapies & Emerging Treatments (physician presentations and panel with participating parents)
  • Latest in Food Allergy Prevention
  • Daily Life Tips to Reduce Stress & Anxiety
  • College Ready 101
  • Special sessions for asthma, eczema, environmental allergies and EoE
  • Plus, expert Q&A’s, vendor expo & interactive activities (live cooking, yoga demos and more!)

Cost

The Midwest FACES conference is free of charge for families and travel grants are available, as our goal is to have attendance without any cost barriers.

Website Information

To register for the conference and access more information, including an up-to-date agenda, please visit our website at www.midwestfaces.com.

I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration, and look forward to seeing your “FACES” on June 9th and 10th!