The College is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2026 awards. ACAAI recognizes the following individuals for their contributions to the College and the allergy/immunology specialty. Honorees will be recognized at the Annual Business Meeting that will be held during the ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting in Phoenix this fall.
Distinguished Fellow Awards
This year’s Distinguished Fellow Awards are presented to Gregory W. Bensch, MD, FACAAI, of Stockton, California; Jeffrey G. Demain, MD, FACAAI, of Anchorage, Alaska; and Niraj C. Patel, MD, MS, FACAAI, of Durham, North Carolina. This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions and commitment in the United States or Canada on behalf of the specialty of allergy.
Gregory W. Bensch
MD, FACAAI
Jeffrey G. Demain
MD, FACAAI
Niraj C. Patel
MD, MS, FACAAI
International Distinguished Fellow Award
The recipient of this year’s International Distinguished Fellow Award is René Maximiliano-Gómez, MD, PhD, of Salta, Argentina. This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions and commitment on behalf of allergy in the recipient’s respective country.
René Maximiliano-Gómez
MD, PhD
Distinguished Service Awards
This year’s Distinguished Service Awards are presented to Don A. Bukstein, MD, FACAAI Emeritus, of Lake Mills, Wisconsin; Ray S. Davis, MD, FACAAI Emeritus, of Chesterfield, Missouri; Sarah W. Spriet, DO, FACAAI, of Alexandria, Virginia; and Gary C. Steven, MD, PhD, FACAAI of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This award is given in recognition of tireless efforts, dedication and enthusiasm on behalf of the College.
Don A. Bukstein
MD, FACAAI Emeritus
Ray S. Davis
MD, FACAAI Emeritus
Sarah W. Spriet
DO, FACAAI
Gary C. Steven
MD, PhD, FACAAI
Woman in Allergy Award
The recipient of this year’s Woman in Allergy Award is Theresa A. Bingemann, MD, FACAAI, of Rochester, New York. This annual award honors an individual who has advanced the role of women in medicine or made a significant contribution to the specialty.
Theresa A. Bingemann
MD, FACAAI
Executive Medical Director Award
The College honors Miriam Standish, of Arlington Heights, Illinois who is ACAAI’s Executive Assistant and Office Manager. This award is in recognition of her outstanding dedication to the ACAAI Board of Regents, Executive Committee and many College programs and initiatives.
Miriam Standish
ACAAI Executive Assistant
Education Council Award
This year’s Education Council Award recipient is Christopher C. Chang, MD, PhD, MBA, FACAAI, of Hollywood, Florida. This award honors an individual that has made a demonstrable impact on advancing training and professional education in the field of allergy and immunology.
Christopher C. Chang
MD, PhD, MBA, FACAAI
Annals Distinguished Author Awards
Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recognizes Luz S. Fonacier, MD, FACAAI, of Great Neck, New York; Dennis K. Ledford, MD, FACAAI, of Lutz, Florida; and Ian D. Pavord, DM, of Oxford, England, for their contributions to the fields of allergy, asthma and immunology.
Luz S. Fonacier
MD, FACAAI
Dennis K. Ledford
MD, FACAAI
Ian D. Pavord
DM
Clemens von Pirquet Awards
This year’s Clemons von Pirquet Awards are presented to Collette M. Tilly, MD of Chapel Hill, North Carolina (first place), Aiwei Yan, MD of Nashville, Tennessee (second place), and Samantha Horn, MD of State College, Pennsylvania (third place). These awards are presented to three Fellows-in Training each year for their outstanding abstracts.
