By James Tracy, DO, FACAAI – President, ACAAI
On July 9, I had the pleasure of officially launching an ambitious new initiative from the College: Pathways to Practice (P2P): Advancing Excellence One Fellow at a Time.
This program is designed to address a critical challenge facing our specialty – the growing shortage of practicing allergists across the United States. As many of you know, there are not enough current slots in allergy/immunology fellowship programs to accommodate all the fellows who wish to specialize in this field. This five-year initiative, supported by the College, will directly support the training of 16 new allergy and immunology fellows through four competitive $250,000 (two-year) grants awarded each year, beginning with fellowship positions starting in 2026.
I encourage institutions with unfunded fellowship positions to review the program details and apply. Applications are due by Aug. 15, and selected programs will be notified in early September. The first funding installment will be disbursed in May 2026.
Our goal is simple but vital: expand access to high-quality allergy and immunology care in communities nationwide by supporting fellows who are committed to practicing allergy and immunology with an emphasis to those entering community-based practice in the U.S. This is a direct and meaningful step toward addressing workforce shortages and ensuring the future strength of our specialty.
This program did not come together overnight. Last year, I began developing the concept, and I was encouraged when the Past Presidents Committee also recommended that the College take action to strengthen our workforce. With that endorsement, we moved quickly. In January, I appointed Dr. Maureen Petersen to chair the newly formed ACAAI Fellowship Support Initiative Task Force, along with a dedicated group of College members (listed below).
Together with our staff, this team designed the Pathways to Practice program from the ground up — drawing lessons from the previous ACORN program, engaging with program directors to understand current training costs, and developing the eligibility, application, and evaluation criteria. The ACAAI Board of Regents has approved the program, and we are well positioned to provide the financial support required.
I asked Dr. Petersen what motivated her to chair this project, and she responded:
“I was honored to take on the development of the ACAAI Pathways to Practice (P2P) program alongside the other members of our task force because I believe it directly supports the future of our specialty. As someone who has dedicated my career to teaching, mentoring, and building strong clinical programs, I know how critical it is to invest in the next generation of allergists/immunologists. This program is a tangible expression of the College’s long-term commitment to sustaining excellence in training and mentorship.”
She went on to say, “I believe members will feel proud and energized by this initiative. ACAAI is not only listening to the workforce concerns we’ve all voiced – it’s taking action. Pathways to Practice offers an innovative, structured opportunity for more fellows to enter our field and see how dynamic, impactful, and rewarding it is.”
By the conclusion of this initiative in 2030, the College will have invested $4 million to support the training of 16 new allergists – a direct and meaningful step toward addressing workforce shortages and ensuring the future strength of our specialty.
Obviously, the need extends beyond 16 new allergists; however, this is a landmark commitment by the College to invest in the next generation of allergists. As Dr. Petersen eloquently observes, “The Pathways to Practice initiative offers an innovative, structured opportunity for more fellows to enter our field and see how dynamic, impactful, and rewarding it is… We often say our future depends on the pipeline. This program puts those words into motion.”
To our members and partners, thank you for your continued dedication and support as we advance excellence, one fellow at a time.
Task Force Members:
Theresa Bingemann, MD
Jeff Demain, MD
Jeremy Katcher, MD
Todd Mahr, MD
Sara May, MD
Maureen Petersen, MD (Chair)
Eric Schauberger, DO, PhD
James Tracy, DO
