I have a deep passion for allergy and immunology, and I believe most of my colleagues share that same enthusiasm. What continually fascinates me is the depth and breadth of our specialty. Growing up, my father, a science teacher, encouraged my siblings and me to explore the world around us, sparking my curiosity for discovery.
During my allergy fellowship in San Antonio, we embraced that spirit of exploration. Our “weed walks,” guided by trained botanists, took us through the Texas Hill Country, where we not only uncovered fascinating plant life but also encountered the unique challenges of hunting scorpions and fire ant mounds. These experiences, as budding botanists and amateur entomologists were a constant reminder of the vastness and complexity of the natural world.
As allergists and immunologists, we too play an essential role in the world around us – whether through direct patient care, managing allergic triggers, or advancing our understanding of the effects of climate change. This is just one aspect of the allergy side of our field.
In recent years, the clinical field of immunology has exploded. We used to say, “Big A, little i” to distinguish between allergy and immunology. The “little i” of immunology has now grown into “Big I,” and our role as clinical immunologists continues to expand and develop.
Beyond our ranks of allergists/immunologists, we want to spread the word about our amazing specialty and the care we provide. The College makes every effort to do the same and offers us resources so we can participate in outreach, too.
Here are some of the different ways the College helps to get people interested – and stay interested – in the allergy/immunology specialty.
The College’s SPARK award program is designed to ignite an interest in medical residents to consider a career in allergy/immunology by providing scholarships to the ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting, where they can attend a variety of sessions covering all aspects of allergy/immunology. SPARK recipients are mentored by allergy Fellows-in-Training and interact with training directors and other allergists. Applications for the 2025 program open next month.
Resources in our Time for an Allergist Campaign Toolkit are an easy way for College members to help primary care physicians understand the value of referring their patients with unresolved allergy symptoms to board-certified allergists. Launched in 2022, these popular resources are not only a way to potentially increase referrals, but also to stay connected with those in primary care.
Similarly, the College has a microsite geared to NPs and PAs in primary care. It emphasizes that board-certified allergists, unlike other physicians who may offer allergy services, are specially trained to find the source of allergies, asthma, and related symptoms and to provide effective, whole-body treatment.
The College’s online Racial Disparities and Health Equity Resource Center features relevant information and data to help health care professionals reduce disparities in the quality of care for allergy/immunology patients. In recent years, we also co-sponsored (with AAP) an Allergy Visiting Professorship at historically black colleges to interest students in our specialty with the aim of increasing diversity in our workforce.
Another resource for health care professionals is Eczema in Skin of Color. The College partnered with the Allergy & Asthma Network to create this microsite that is filled with information and resources on the unique characteristics of atopic dermatitis in people of color.
The College recently hosted a webinar Anaphylaxis Update and Treatment Options and invited medical professionals across a wide spectrum of specialties to attend. More than 300 attended the webinar, which provided the latest strategies for diagnosis, treatment, prevention and education of anaphylaxis, including updates from the 2023 Anaphylaxis Practice Parameter.
The College makes the most of Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month in May. We use our publications to promote College resources that our members can use during the month. Many of them are featured in our Asthma & Allergy Awareness Toolkit. During the month, we also reach out to the public via social media, press releases and the College’s public website with factual information on allergic conditions.
The allergy/immunology specialty is far reaching. Our specialty touches many different medical specialties and aspects of patient care. You can help keep the momentum going – reach out to PCPs, let residents know about the SPARK award program, or use resources in the Asthma & Allergy Awareness Toolkit to keep people interested and knowledgeable about allergists and the care we provide.
