Dr. Linda Ford founded The Asthma and Allergy Center in 1979 and has become a well-known and respected member of the Omaha Metro community, as well as the national medical community. She is a pioneer in the fields of asthma, allergy and immunological disorder research and is principal investigator for hundreds of clinical studies that brought many of today's asthma and allergy medicines into the hands of patients in need.

Dr. Ford, a physician of Allergy and Immunology, served as the 93 rd national president of the American Lung Association (1998-1999), sat on the Board of Directors and Council of the American Lung Association (ALA) 1987-2000, is a past president of the American Medical Association Foundation and is also a member and president of the Board of Directors of the American Lung Association of Nebraska.

She represents Nebraska physicians in the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association, serving as the Nebraska delegation's chair. She sits on Nebraska Medical Association's House of Delegates and Board of Directors; Metro Omaha Medical Society's Board of Directors and was the first Medical Director for the Sarpy/Cass County Department of Health and Wellness and served on their Board of Directors.

Dr. Ford actively promotes lung disease education among children. She was a founding member and Chairman for the Consortium of Asthma Camps from 1994-1996, served as the first Chairperson for The National Asthma Educators Certification Board, spearheading quality asthma education throughout the country.

Because of her interest in what exacerbates her patients' asthma, she also chaired The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's Aerobiology Committee. Her commitment to finding a cure for asthma led to her participation as co-chair of the American Lung Association's Major Gifts Campaign, “ASTHMATTACK!”, supporting basic science and regional asthma centers.

She has written numerous articles related to asthma and allergic disease for both professional and general public audiences. Her writing includes disease management protocols for asthma and she also helped author the American Lung Association's Family Guide to Asthma and Allergies.

Dr. Ford also sits on The Advisory Board to Camp Fire , Omaha Asthma Alliance Board, Medical Advisory Board to the Omaha Public Schools, and is the Vice President of the National Community Health Charities ( CHAD in Nebraska ).

Dr. Ford received her medical degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Her internship was at the Jewish Hospital Washington University, residency in Internal Medicine at St. Louis University and Fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at Creighton University College of Medicine.

Some of her many honors and awards include:

1978 Young Investigator Award - American Lung Association
1984, 1990 Volunteer of the Year - American Lung Association of Nebraska
1987 Fellow - American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
1991 Health Volunteer of the Year - United Way of the Midlands
1991 Women of Distinction - Professional Finalist - YWCA
1991 Dearholt Medal - American Lung Association, Mississippi Valley Conference
1992 Community Service Award - Nebraska American Medical Women's Association
1993 Award of Merit - American Lung Association of Nebraska
1994 Community Spirit Award - American Lung Association of Nebraska
1995 Physician-Teacher of the Year - Department of Family Practice,
University of Nebraska Medical Center
1996 Tiffany Award - American Lung Association
1997 Volunteer Leadership Award - American Lung Association
1999 Distinguished Fellow - American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Fellow –
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
2000 Legacy of Hope Award – CHAD
Emily Bissel Fundraising Award, American Lung Association
Special Recognition Award – Education & Research Trust,
American Academy of Allergy , Asthma & Immunology
Women in Medicine Award – American Academy of Allergy , Asthma and Immunology
Physician of the Month – University of Nebraska Medical Center
Distinguished Women in Allergy – American College of Allergy , Asthma and Immunology
2004 Volunteer Faculty of the Year – College of Medicine , University of Nebraska Medical Center