By Mitierra Johnson, Research Associate
Angela Maskill’s path to her current role as the Healthy Homes Programs Director at Reinvestment Partners is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of others.
Born and raised in Colombia, South America, Angela’s early life was marked by asthma, as her personal struggles with the condition inspired her to help others facing similar challenges.
After moving to the U.S. with her family in 2000, Angela enrolled at the University of Central Florida, where she earned her undergraduate degree in cardiopulmonary science. She began her professional journey as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT) at Duke Pediatrics. After several years in pediatrics, Angela’s career expanded into education and research, focusing on asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) education. Ultimately she was led to work with pharmaceutical companies and WakeMed Hospital, where she developed asthma and COPD management programs for children and adults.
Despite a few years of co-owning a gym with her husband, Angela’s commitment to education and patient care remained strong. Upon learning about a position at Reinvestment Partners, Angela found a unique opportunity that combined her expertise in respiratory care with her passion for community health.
Angela oversees the Breathe Easy program, which provides asthma and COPD patients and their families access to crucial home interventions such as air purifiers and non-toxic cleaning supplies. The program’s goal is to address environmental triggers in patients’ homes and help them manage their conditions outside of a clinical setting. In just a year, Angela helped grow the program from 340 cases to 671 cases, with plans for further expansion across the state and even to other areas like California and New York.
As a clinician, Angela brings a unique perspective to healthy homes programming. Having a background in respiratory therapy allows her to see the bigger picture and bring a level of expertise to the program that others may not have. By using clinical data—such as asthma control tests (ACTs)—she can show the tangible benefits of the Breathe Easy program and make a strong case for its expansion.
Angela’s work is deeply personal. “Helping people is huge for me,” she says, reflecting on how her early experiences with asthma shaped her dedication for patient care.
“Being able to make a change before the patient even gets to the hospital is so important.” The program’s success is evident, with 70% of patients reporting fewer asthma symptoms. However, one of Angela’s biggest challenges is securing funding and insurance reimbursement for these vital interventions. Home-based asthma interventions have not yet become a standard of care despite their proven effectiveness (Krieger et al, 2015).
Angela’s passion about community service extends to global health initiatives. She volunteers with organizations that perform pediatric heart surgeries in countries like Honduras, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic. She’s also a member of local asthma and health alliances, staying connected to other health professionals and community resources. She became involved in the NC Lead and Healthy Homes through her work with Reinvestment Partners. She shared that, “There is a plethora of information and strategies being shared in the Task Force’s quarterly meetings.”
In her free time, Angela enjoys traveling, experiencing new cultures, and sampling different coffees, a love rooted in her Colombian heritage. One fun fact: She also finds joy in organizing, especially when it involves color-coded spreadsheets!
Angela’s journey reflects her unwavering dedication to helping others, whether it’s through her clinical work, community service, or personal passions. She is driven to make a meaningful impact, helping families create healthier environments and manage chronic conditions in new and innovative ways.