Dear colleagues:

I hope you were among the 7,359 attendees who enjoyed the 2009 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. It is interesting to note that one-third of the delegates and abstracts came from international (non-U.S./Canada) colleagues; we are truly a global organization.

How good was the science presented at the meeting? A follow-up study, conducted when F. Estelle R. Simons, MD, FAAAAI, was President, found that 60% of abstracts were eventually published. We want to continue to have the intellectual critical mass to discover new information, analyze and discuss its importance and disseminate findings to our members, other physicians, healthcare providers and the public.

Media Efforts Educate the Public
Ground-breaking research leads to greater visibility and helps send a message that the allergist/immunologist is indispensible. Media coverage related to the 2009 Annual Meeting was outstanding and reached millions. To date, the meeting has generated more than 600 news stories, including two consecutive nights’ coverage on ABC News and one night on CBS News. Newspaper and online coverage was equally impressive. In fact, a prominently placed story on peanut allergy research within The New York Times was the top-ranked e-mailed feature for the entire newspaper during the day it ran.

A Capitol Success
During the Annual Meeting, the Federation of Regional, State and Local Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Societies (RSLAAIS) Assembly of the AAAAI presented an historic meeting in the Caucus Room of the Cannon Office Building. “The Environment, Public Policy and Human Health Emerging Trends” was well attended.

RSLAAIS past Chair Paul V. Williams, MD, FAAAAI, current Chair Daniel G. Steinberg, MD, FAAAAI, and The Honorable Steven L. Kagen, MD, FAAAAI (D-Wisconsin) deserve accolades for making this program so successful. Representative Kagen secured the room as well as provided his perspective as a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and its Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. Kagen is the first and only allergist/immunologist to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. David B. Peden, MD, FAAAAI, and Jeffrey G. Demain, MD, FAAAAI, reported their findings, as did Paul R. Epstein, MD, MPH, from the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School. In 1997, Epstein received recognition for his contributions to the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Hugh A. Sampson, MD, FAAAAI, led a pre-event news conference publicizing the AAAAI’s focus on climate change and the role of the allergist/immunologist. It was great to attend the news conference and forum, which took place in the same room where many major hearings have been held on the Hill. The changes in environment are occurring faster than some have predicted and will impact the time and extent of pollination, ozone depletion, CO2 levels and possibly the number of stings from Hymenoptera.

Cooperation among Leaders
The leadership of the AAAAI and ACAAI met during the Annual Meeting and will continue to have monthly conference calls to work together to advance our subspecialty.

These joint activities do not always get the attention they deserve. Did you know...?

• For 20 years, a Joint Task Force has been developing Practice Parameters.
• The spring Board Review Course is put together by a Joint Task Force with logistical responsibilities alternating between the AAAAI and ACAAI.
• Both organizations equally fund the JCAAI.
• The AAAAI, ACAAI and JCAAI have formed a Work Group to explore the future of the specialty. The 11-member group is co-chaired by David P. Huston, MD, FAAAAI, Jay M. Portnoy, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI (representing the ACAAI) and Stephen A. Imbeau MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI (representing the JCAAI). The group’s charge is to identify the key forces that will shape the future of allergy/immunology; to develop scenarios of how these forces may unfold; and to determine the implications for the specialty and its organizations.

In June, there will be a joint AAAAI and ACAAI Board Meeting. The changes regarding continuing medical education, industry funding, conflict of interest and professional societies have implications for both the AAAAI and ACAAI. The leadership of each society is committed to finding additional ways to collaborate and avoid duplication of efforts.

The AAAAI works to advance the field of allergy/immunology and help practicing allergist/immunologists, academicians and allied health professionals. My number one goal as President is to have the AAAAI help you be an expert and indispensable to your patients, colleagues, institutions and the public. One way to communicate with me is via e-mail to president@aaaai.org. Together, we can make inroads for the good of our patients.

Sincerely,

Paul A. Greenberger, MD, FAAAAI
AAAAI President

AAAAI/ALA Partnership Funds Grant, Sends Referrals to Allergists
In order to leverage resources and have a greater impact on the allergy/immunology specialty, the AAAAI and the American Lung Association (ALA) are pleased to announce these new initiatives:

Co-Funding New Grant
The first collaboration is co-funding of the ALA/AAAAI Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award, which will support research that has a high likelihood of advancing the understanding of allergic respiratory disease.

The award provides $50,000 per year, funded equally between the two organizations, and may be granted for up to two years, dependent on a demonstration of satisfactory progress and the availability of funding. A maximum of three awards will be funded.

To be eligible, an applicant must hold a doctoral degree and faculty appointment in an allergy/immunology division of an academic institution and be undertaking a project related to allergic respiratory disease. In addition, applicants must have completed a training fellowship and work in a not-for-profit institution, but can be at any level of research experience.

Recipients will be chosen by a review panel consisting of representatives from the AAAAI and the ALA. Further details and information on the award, including the application process, will be made available to AAAAI members this fall, with the first awards granted in July 2010.

The initiative to partner with the ALA began several years ago and was spurred on by Thomas B. Casale, MD, FAAAAI. Casale, who recognized the importance of having relationships with lay organizations, was involved in creating a partnership with the ALA before and during his term as 2007-2008 AAAAI President.

Cross-Promotion Heightens Awareness
In addition to the Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award, the ALA Web site at www.lungusa.org has become yet another avenue for generating patient referrals. In return for helping the ALA promote its Faces of Influenza campaign, the ALA Web site includes direct links to the AAAAI Physician Referral Directory, making it easy for millions of consumers to find an allergist.

Visitors to www.lungusa.org can locate the AAAAI Physician Referral Directory by clicking on the “Treatment” tab and then selecting “Find an Allergist/Immunologist.” Links to the directory are also found on several of the fact sheets located on the ALA Web site. In fact, the AAAAI Physician Referral Directory is the only directory of its kind included within the ALA Web site.

“Developing and strengthening public awareness of the AAAAI’s mission and goals through enhanced ties with lay organizations is important, especially in the case of the ALA,” said Casale. “The ALA is the leading patient-focused volunteer organization devoted to preventing and managing lung diseases, so working with them allows us to reach a broad audience of people who share our vision of enhancing patient care.”

With these exciting endeavors underway, the AAAAI’s collaboration with the ALA looks to open new doors and serves as another significant step in advancing the knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology for optimal patient care.

2009 Annual Meeting Brings Nearly 7,400 to the Nation’s Capitol
The world's leading researchers in allergic disease met in Washington, DC, from March 13-17 for the 2009 AAAAI Annual Meeting, which featured approximately 375 sessions led by nearly 870 speakers and moderators. Over 1,000 abstracts were presented through the Featured Poster Session and Reception, along with 34 late-breaking abstracts, 29 Oral Abstract Sessions and a number of poster sessions throughout the course of four days.

In total, nearly 7,400 delegates were in attendance at the Washington Convention Center to hear about the latest developments in the allergy/immunology specialty.

Click on the picture above to view a photo album from the events in DC. We look forward to seeing you next year in New Orleans!

Don't Get Left Behind: Register Now to Attend the 2009 Practice Management Workshop
Financial management. Risk management. Coding. Utilizing mid-level providers. EMR. In today's constantly evolving medical climate, these practice management skills are essential.

Whether you are a solo practitioner, a partner in a mid-sized group or employed in a large group setting, the AAAAI Practice Management Workshop gives you essential tools for success.

This unique program is designed for both seasoned and new physicians, office managers/administrators and fellows-in-training. You'll return home armed with real work examples and practical tools that will help your practice meet changing demands.

You can't afford NOT to attend the 2009 AAAAI Practice Management Workshop. Enrollment is limited, so register today. More information, including a downloadable PDF of the course brochure, is available by clicking here.

Use Promoting your Practice to Clear the Hurdles
Since 2003, this member benefit resource has provided tested strategies and support to help your public education, media outreach and referral efforts.

The Promoting your Practice area of the AAAAI Web site offers a multitude of tips, tactics and templates to keep your public relations efforts on track. Members can also download a PDF copy of the Promoting your Practice Tool Kit or sign up to join the AAAAI Media Link team. When reporters call the AAAAI looking for expert sources for articles, they are connected with Media Link members who have expressed an expertise and desire to be interviewed on requested topics.

Use these convenient resources to heighten the visibility of your practice and promote the role of the allergist/immunologist.

President's Video Welcome Message Debuts on www.aaaai.org
President Paul A. Greenberger, FAAAAI, has become the first to launch a streaming video welcome message on the AAAAI Web site. Watch to find out what our 6,500 experts can do for patients, consumers and professionals.

View It Your Way: Purchase the Virtual Annual Meeting
For those who were unable to attend the 2009 Annual Meeting or for delegates looking to have access to sessions they missed, the AAAAI is again offering the Virtual Annual Meeting. The 2009 Virtual Annual Meeting, which is funded through an educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline, features over 100 hours of content conveniently packaged on a Data DVD. Place your order online today.

Also, the 2008 Virtual Annual Meeting is now available for the discounted price of $99. Visit here for details and ordering information.

Claim your CME/CE credits from the 2009 Annual Meeting
Delegates to the 2009 Annual Meeting can now claim their CME/CE credits online by visiting the Annual Meeting Web site and selecting the “CME/CE” button.

It’s also your LAST CHANCE to claim CME/CE credits from the 2008 Annual Meeting; the CME/CE claim site for the 2008 Annual Meeting will only be available through April 15. If you need your certificate from last year, click here today.

AMA Offers Resources on ePrescribing
The American Medical Association (AMA) recently launched an online learning center featuring information and tools on ePresciribing. Visit the center for help in choosing and implementing a system for your practice.

New AMA Resource:
What You Need to Know About the Red Flags Rule
In November 2007, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a set of regulations, known as the “Red Flags Rule,” requiring that certain entities develop and implement written identity theft prevention and detection programs to protect consumers from identity theft. In response to FTC staff indications that the rule will apply to physician practices, the AMA expressed its concerns and successfully delayed implementation of the rule until May 1, 2009. The AMA is continuing its efforts to persuade the FTC that physicians are not “creditors,” and therefore should not be subject to the Red Flags Rule. In the interim, the AMA has prepared a guidance document, along with sample policies, so that members can incorporate a simple identity theft prevention and detection program into their existing compliance and HIPAA security and privacy policies. If you are a member of the AMA, visit here and select "Red Flags Rule resources" to access the new AMA resource.

JCAAI Allergen Extract Preparation Quiz
The Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (JCAAI) has developed an Allergen Extract Preparation Quiz to help physicians familiarize themselves with the new guidelines regarding sterile preparation of allergenic extract. Find out more.

A/I Reading List for FITs
While the AAAAI offers several reading lists that are targeted at various audiences, this month’s focus is on the A/I Reading List for FITs. The resource, which features peer-reviewed literature, was compiled by the Program Directors’ Core Curriculum & Education Subcommittee with the goal of ensuring that fellows learn the scientific basis of the specialty. FITs, Program Directors, or any members looking to refresh their knowledge can find the reading list here. Suggestions for additions to the list can be made by selecting the “Submit your reading list suggestions” link.

Find Evidence-Based Information on CAM
Members can access the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database in order to find complete and practical information on various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments. The Database features a Natural Medicine/Drug Interaction checker, patient education handouts on natural medicine ingredients and more. To get started, log in to the Members Only area and click on the NMCD logo.

Allergy & Asthma Issues for Spring Just Released
The spring edition of the AAAAI’s quarterly patient newsletter is now available online. Topics include understanding pollen counts and tips on how to make the most of a doctor’s visit. For easy distribution to your patients, visit here to download a PDF version.

Elements of Allergy & Asthma:
Having a Healthy Pregnancy with Asthma
Expecting mothers with severe asthma may be more likely to experience a worsening of symptoms while pregnant. Point patients to this educational feature with tips on how they can safely manage their disease while keeping their baby healthy.

Looking to keep your PR efforts on track?
Use these winning tactics to create your own success!

Tips for Working with Your Local Medical Society
The days of lengthy meetings and rubber chicken meals have been replaced with conference calls and electronic communication, as medical societies adapt to physicians’ varied and hectic schedules and new methods of social networking.

It doesn’t take much to become actively involved in your local societies and reap the rewards of recognition and physician referrals for your practice.

Most of these professional organizations are looking for volunteers to work on specific projects such as planning an educational session, working on a short-term membership drive or, depending upon the society’s tax status, assisting with a fundraising event.

You choose the volunteer hours, you choose the activity and often you can choose the timing of your commitment. Everyone gains as you share your expertise with others while building name recognition and visibility.

For other tips, tactics and templates, visit the Promoting your Practice area of the AAAAI Web site.

Question of the Week

Consumers with commonly asked questions about allergies and asthma can find the answers they’re looking for with the Question of the Week, a new feature on the AAAAI Web site. From hypoallergenic dogs to peak flow meters, your patients will find brief, easy-to-read explanations of common conditions, treatments, triggers and more.