The College’s Advocacy Council is pleased to announce that J. Allen Meadows, MD, FACAAI has been appointed to the position of Executive Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs, replacing James Sublett, MD, FACAAI, who has held the position since 2016.
Dr. Meadows has been a College Fellow for more than three decades and served as ACAAI President from 2019 – 2020. He also served as President of the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (JCAAI) from 2015 – 2017 and was instrumental in incorporating JCAAI within the College structure in 2016. He served on the College’s Board of Regents for many years and as Speaker of the College’s House of Delegates (HOD) from 2009 – 2011. He has also held several leadership positions in numerous state allergy and medical societies.
More than a decade ago, Dr. Meadows convinced a group of allergists to accompany him to Washington, DC, to lobby for our profession and the ACAAI Allergy Strike Force was formed. Every year (except during the COVID-19 pandemic), Dr. Meadows has led the allergy group to lobby Washington decision-makers on allergy and other issues affecting the practice of medicine.
While we’re excited about the new addition to the Advocacy Council, we are bittersweet with the loss of our guiding force for the past seven years – James Sublett, MD, FACAAI. Dr. Sublett has been a College Fellow for more than 30 years and served as ACAAI President from 2014 – 2015.
Dr. Sublett was instrumental in working with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) to resolve compounding issues related to allergen extract preparation in USP Chapter 797. Through his hard work, allergy was awarded an “exception” – Section 21 – of Chapter 797, allowing allergists to continue mixing extracts in their offices.
COVID changed our lives and practices forever, and Dr. Sublett calmly developed a plan to inform College members of the optimal ways to face the never-ending challenges it presented.
He has also helped in supporting the College’s new HOD structure and has always been willing to share his expertise at regional town hall meetings.
He’s worked closely with our Washington consultants – Capitol Associates and Powers Law – acting as the liaison between allergists and these groups, monitoring proposed legislation and providing interpretation of new rules and regulations.
We all will remember his favorite analogy – The Advocacy Council is like air conditioning on a hot summer day – no one notices until it isn’t working. We’ll keep the air conditioning running, Dr. Sublett, but it won’t be the same without you! Thank you for all you’ve done during your tenure.
The Advocacy Council – ADVOCATING FOR ALLERGISTS AND THEIR PATIENTS.
