RESEARCHTHATMATTERSDeep
RESEARCHTHATMATTERSDeep Breaths andHealthier FuturesA Mission to Improve Asthma CareAN ASTHMA SUFFERERherself, TWU AssistantProfessor of Nursing ElifIsik, understands thechallenges teens with asthmaface, like self-regulating andkeeping an inhaler nearby.Self-management is critical,but adolescents face specificobstacles due to maturity andsocial pressures. Isik workswith teens to understand theirchallenges and behaviors tobuild tools to improve selfmanagement.“This passion has grown intoa commitment to empoweryoung people to take charge oftheir health,” says Isik.Adolescent health is oftenoverlooked in chronic illnessstudies, so the National Heart,Lung, and Blood Instituteawarded Isik a 3,000 grantfor her vital research.“This is about more thanmanaging asthma. It’s aboutfostering autonomy, confidenceand healthier futures foryoung people with chronicconditions,” says Isik.MY INSPIRATIONDONORGRIT,AMBITION,GIVING BACKA Million-DollarInvestment inFuture Aviators44.2 MIn 2022, 44.2 million Americans, or 13.5%,had ever been diagnosed with asthma by a health professional.–American Lung AssociationTHERE’S NO SHORTAGEof ambition among theinaugural cohort ofTWU’s Doswell School ofAeronautical Sciences.These aspiring aviators facegrueling coursework, steepfinancial burdens and thestaggering cost of flighttraining, making a degree inaviation science one of themost expensive to pursue.ENTER KATHLEEN HILDRETH“When someone tells meno, I hear a challenge,”Hildreth said during her 2024induction into the TexasBusiness Hall of Fame. Thismindset propelled her fromflying helicopters for theU.S. Army to co-founding M1Support Services, one of thelargest aviation maintenancecontractors in the nation.In 2024, Hildreth donated million to the DoswellSchool of AeronauticalSciences. Half of her giftfunds scholarships forthe school’s inauguralclass, while the other halfestablishes a matching fundto inspire future donations.“I’ve had a very interestingbut successful career, and Ilike to give back, especiallyto things I know will makea difference in the future,”Hildreth shared with CBSTexas. “When you make animpact on young peopleand their future, you seethe results.”Hildreth’s passion forsupporting others stemsfrom her own journey ofbreaking barriers. In 2019,she became the first andonly veteran to appear on“Forbes” “America’s RichestSelf-Made Women” list. She’sremained on the list eversince, was named to “Forbes”“50 Over 50” list in 2023, andin 2024, she was recognizedas a Distinguished Graduateof the United States MilitaryAcademy.Her story of grit andperseverance aligns withTWU’s aviation mission.“Setbacks are a part of life,”Hildreth says. “But grit keepsyou going.”Hildreth’s gift does morethan alleviate financial strain— it inspires studentsto dream big, work hardand persist.Learn moreabout annual giving attwu.edu/annualgiving12 TEXAS WOMAN’S TEXAS WOMAN’S 13
