ACAAI's History
The American College of Allergists was officially incorporated as a legal entity on November 23, 1942. The American College of Allergists, the precursor organization of our current American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, was founded by a group of men and women passionate about the field of allergy and immunology as a distinct specialty. In 1974, the American Board of Allergy and Immunology was established, designating our specialty, and it remains the only allergy specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
In 1992, ACAAI then-President Joseph A. Bellanti, M.D. gave a special historical address commemorating the 50th anniversary of the College (ACAAI). His detailed and illuminating presidential address was later published in its entirety, in this 1993 Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology article.
In 2012, we celebrated our organization’s 70th anniversary and reflected on how the past not only reminds us of where we have been, but where we have yet to go. At the 2012 Annual Meeting, Dr. Bellanti presented The ACAAI: A 70 year Legacy of Accomplishments (1942-2012). Part II Events and Achievements (1992-2012), which was published in a 2012 Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology article.
In 2022, for the College’s 80th anniversary, a 2022 Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology article was published, highlighting another decade (2012-2022) of important College events and achievements, building on the two previous publications that collectively reflect on eight decades of ACAAI’s history.
Celebrating 75 Years
Did you know that the College turned 75 years in 2017? And you can rest assured this septuagenarian is still going, stronger than ever!
In celebration, we highlighted pieces of our rich history in our publications and on our website. Want to catch up on any you missed and get the scoop on what the College has been up to for three quarters of a century?
- Our first thirty years of Annual Meetings
- Why was Jonas Salk, MD at our 1971 Annual Scientific Meeting?
- Bernard Halpern, MD – a friend of the College, discovered one of the first antihistamines
- From Benadryl to biologics: 75 years of advancements in allergy
- Step back in time with us to see what allergy practice looked like in 1942
- A glimpse into the future
- Want your Rx straight up or on the rocks?
- 75 years of cha-cha-cha-changes
- 75th Anniversary fun College facts
- Legacy of Congressman George Miller O’Brien: Advocate for the patient with asthma and allergic disease
- FIT Bowl History
Celebrating 80 Years
- The first 50 years. Part 1 (1942-1992) Bellanti JA. Proud of the past. Planning for the future. Ann Allergy. part 1. 1993 Jun.70(6).445-61.
- The next 20 years. Part 2 (1992-2012) Bellanti JA. The ACAAI. A 70-year legacy of accomplishments (1942-2012), part 2. Events and achievements (1992-2012). Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013 Apr.110(4).223-7.
- The next 10 years: Part 3 (2012-2022) Bellanti JA, Lanier BQ, Ein D, et al. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: An 80-year legacy of accomplishments (1942-2022), part 3: Events and achievements (2012-2022). Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022 Oct;129(4):528-534.
