We asked Michael Blaiss, MD, FACAAI, executive medical director, about the opportunities and challenges for young leaders.
An important aspect of the College’s strategic plan, Vision Forward, is to continue to build leadership pathways. How has the College approached finding and mentoring emerging leaders?
The main purpose of the College’s Leadership Summit is to find and train our future leaders – giving them the skills to move the College forward. All attendees are offered appointments to College committees and many have already gone into leadership positions, including the Board of Regents. If you’re 45 or younger or in practice for 10 years or less, I encourage you to apply. For those of you who have been in practice longer, please consider how you may be able to mentor young members and approach them to apply for the next Leadership Summit. Applications are due Feb. 4.
Looking ahead three to five years from now, what do you envision as the biggest challenges and opportunities for our young leaders?
Health care will continue to go through major disruptions over the next several years. More care will be offered virtually, and more and more allergists will become employees in large practices and hospital systems. Diversity in our membership will continue. We need young leaders who think outside the box and look at these changes as opportunities to further the mission of the College, promoting excellence in the practice of allergy/immunology.
What advice would you give to someone who is new to the College (or the specialty)? How can they take a more active role or prepare to step into a position of leadership?
Involvement in College’s work through its committees is vital for the growth of our future leaders. Anyone who aspires to move up the leadership ladder must be active and engaged in their appointed committees. Showing initiative and volunteering for different committee tasks are what the Nominating Council is looking for when recommending new leaders for the Board of Regents.
