Len Picha

Len Picha has been a practicing Respiratory Therapist for 38 years. He has served as President of the Executive Committee of the West Virginia Asthma Coalition, coordinated through the American Lung Association in West Virginia, for the past two years and serves as the Environmental Subcommittee Co-Chair for the 2011-2012 term. Len has been committed to asthma and COPD excellence, both with the Coalition and with his job as a registered Respiratory Therapist in Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Charleston Area Medical Center.

Len has been a driving force in bringing asthma education to professionals and patients in rural West Virginia health clinics. To help better inform health care professionals, he has conducted courses on spirometry (a test that measures lung function) and asthma education, and uses the Asthma 101 books as a training and education tool with professionals and patients, as well.

Mr. Picha is unmatched in the area of volunteerism and support for the Asthma Coalition and the Lung Association and takes pride in assisting others to understand lung health. He is always willing to help when others are unavailable. During the 10th Annual Asthma Retreat, along with his Presidential duties, Len also filled a timeslot with the Asthma Olympics to help participants better understand a hands-on approach to asthma education. He has helped to make significant contributions in the development of West Virginia’s COPD Task Force. He, also, makes it a priority to recruit and promote the formation of the group every chance he gets. Christine Compton, Program Specialist for COPD Initiatives, describes Len as “an instrumental force in the planning of the 2011 Respiratory Rally. Without Mr. Picha’s involvement, the 2011 Rally would not have been nearly as successful.”