Researcher receives prestigious public health award

The American Public Health Association (APHA) Maternal and Child Health Section (MCH) has honored a Michigan State University College of Nursing researcher with its Effective Practice Award for “significant contributions to effective public health practice within maternal and child health at the community, state, tribal, national or global levels.”

The section will formally bestow the honor on Professor Kim Arcoleo on Nov. 3 for her work with implementing school-based asthma therapy programs (SBAT).

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” Arcoleo said. “It means so much to me to know that the work we do is being recognized for its importance in improving the health of children with asthma in our schools.”

Nearly 5 million children in the U.S. have asthma. Arcoleo’s team has created a program to help treat their asthma symptoms by empowering school nurses to administer controller medication during the day, ensuring students are consistently receiving the treatment they need. SBAT programs can also save, on average, $5,000 to $7,000 in medical expenses per student per year due to improved asthma control which leads to reduced acute healthcare visits and, consequently, less healthcare costs. Additionally, her work has led to reductions in missed class time and behavioral incidents in school. You can read more about some of her findings in this story from April 2025.

Arcoleo’s project has already shown impact in Columbus, Ohio and she is working to expand the program to Detroit and Little Rock, AR. She has also set up a new website for her program and encourages other communities interested in partnering to contact her. The growing impact of her work was one reason for the award, according to a note from the APHA.

“Dr. Arcoleo’s work demonstrates numerous contributions to the field of maternal and child health at the local, state, and national levels. Her service to the MCH community, especially in school asthma treatment and quality of care, is innovative and shows a sustained contribution to the field. Her leadership in academia and within APHA is outstanding and is worth celebrating,” the APHA note reads.

Associate Dean for Research Susan Buchholz said Arcoleo consistently demonstrates determination and genuine compassion for her research, especially with her work to improve the lives of children with asthma.

“Dr. Arcoleo cares about every one of these participants because she knows the work she is doing will improve their daily lives,” Buchholz said. “It’s inspiring to work alongside someone who is such a committed researcher.”

Published Sept. 2, 2025.