Welcome

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Welcome to Alabama Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Center.  We appreciate your choice of our clinic to care for your asthma and allergy related conditions.  You will receive high quality care from our Physician, Dr. Shashi A.M. Kumar, our Nurse Practitioner, Kim Reisenwitz, and all of our staff.

 

Dr. Kumar is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and also by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.  Dr. Kumar's post graduate training includes specialization in pediatrics at Lloyd Noland Hospital in Fairfield and allergy-immunology at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado and National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, Colorado.  He was a Major in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army and served as Chief of Pediatrics at Fox Army Hospital on Redstone Arsenal and as Chief of the Allergy Clinical Immunology Service while stationed with the 67th Combat Support Hospital in Wuerzburg, Germany.  Dr. Kumar has given numerous national presentations and has been widely published.  He and his wife have twin daughters. 

 

Kim Reisenwitz our Nurse Practitioner, received her Master's Degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama - Huntsville.  She has over 20 years of nursing experience and has been nationally certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner since 1991.  In her current capacity with our practice, Kim works in collaboration with Dr. Kumar and is actively involved with the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of adults and children with asthma and allergies.  Kim is also a professor at the University of Alabama - Huntsville.  She is married and has four children. 

 

As a New Patient…

During your initial visit, a detailed history and physical examination, pulmonary function test (if you have asthma) and skin testing will be performed.  For most allergy-related illnesses, every effort will be made to accomplish these tests in one visit.  Patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield may require two separate visits for testing per insurance guidelines.  A new patient visit may take as long as two hours.  All patients will be seen as soon as possible.  Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.  This extra time will enable you to complete necessary paperwork.  Please remember to bring your insurance information and cards with you.

 

YOU MUST STOP TAKING ALL ANTIHISTAMINE MEDICATIONS (e.g. Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, Atarax, Tavist, Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, Astelin NS, etc.) FOR 5 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.  This will enable us to do skin testing on the day of your visit.  It is acceptable to continue nose sprays (other than Astelin), decongestants, inhalers, antibiotics and/or oral steroids if you are already taking them.  If you have any questions about your medication, please call our office and we will be happy to assist you. 

 

If the patient is under age 18, a parent/legal guardian must accompany the patient and should be familiar with the medical history.  If possible, please do not bring other children to the appointment as our examination rooms have limited space for patient and testing supplies.

 

Again, we thank you for allowing us to assist you in leading a more normal life with your asthma and/or allergy related illness.  Please call us if you have any questions about your visit to our office.  See you soon!

 

 

 

 

Announcements

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 Website Changes

As most of you have noticed we have multiple changes to our website.  Unfortunately, the transition from the old web site did not proceed as we had envisioned it would.  We are working diligently to get all of the same functions we had previously.  Please be patient with us.  In the meantime, if you have any problems at all, please contact our office at(256) 539-6536.  Interactive features such as Online Consultation (now called "ask a question"), appointment requests and prescription renewals should be available.  If you would like to utilize one of the interactive features, you will have to "create an account".  Users of our old website should get an email with a link to expedite registration.

 H1N1 VACCINE IN AMPLE SUPPLY
H1N1 Vaccine is now readily available.  CDC recommends vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. Because supplies of the 2009 H1N1 vaccines have increased dramatically, CDC is now encouraging everyone who has been patiently waiting to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine to get vaccinated at this time.  All restrictions for limiting vaccine to priority groups have been lifted. Anyone requesting vaccination will now be vaccinated.  Vaccine is available at no cost to you except a administration fee which is covered by most third party payers, including Medicaid and Medicare.

Specialties

Allergic rhinitis (Hay Fever) Non-allergic rhinitis (Sinus problem) Asthma Insect sting allergy Food allergy Drug allergy Anaphylaxis Chronic Hives Rush Immunotherapy Vocal cord dysfuntion Adult & Pediatric Asthma, Allergy & Immunology We offer current, state-of-the-art methods in asthma and allergy treament including: Allergic rhinitis, Asthma, Food allergy, Drug allergy, Stinging insect allergy, Latex allergy, Urticaria (hives), Rush Immunotherapy and Vocal Cord Dysfunction.

Care Philosophy

It is our promise to improve the quality of life for those who suffer from chronic allergies and asthma through the delivery of exceptional care and service by exceptional physician and staff. We promise to improve the quality of life of our patients suffering from chronic allergies and asthma through the delivery of exceptional care and service by Dr. Shashi Kumar, and his experienced staff.