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September
28, 2005 |
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Welcome to ACAAI eNews — a bi-weekly aggregated news service
from the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. To be
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Drugs and Devices |
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Distance Learning |
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Association
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Fellows-in-Training |
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Calendar |
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Archive |
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FIT Archive |
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Distance Learning |
2005 Board/Recertification Review Course:
DVDs, Audio CDs, MP3s
Link
ACAAI Tape Store
Complete Listing
Link
2004 ACAAI ANNUAL MEETING
Nov. 12-17, Boston
Link
From the 2003 ACAAI ANNUAL MEETING
Nov. 7-12, 2003, New Orleans
• Two Symposia Online
Link
• Plenary Sessions CD-ROM and DVD
Link
Patient-Centered Allergy Practice
Endorsed by ACAAI, Sponsored by Physicians Practice
Link
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Calendar |
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SEPTEMBER
American
Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT)
"Adverse Drug Events and Medication Errors: Impact on Medical
Care in the 21st Century"
Sept. 29-30,
Philadelphia
E-mail
Link
Southeastern Allergy, Asthma
and Immunology Society
2005 Annual Meeting
Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, Sea Island, GA
Contact: Jack Eades, MD
Tel: 912-303-9355
Email
OCTOBER
New Trends & Recent Applications
in Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Co-sponsored by ACAAI
Oct. 6-8,
Taormina, Sicily
E-mail:jbella007@aol.com
or IRConsult@aol.com
Link
Allergy Immunotherapy:
State of The Art
Mexican College of Pediatric Allergy & Clinical Immunology
Recognized by ACAAI
October 21-22
Mexico City, Mexico
Contact: Dr. Noel Rodriguez
Tel: 956-572-5478
E-mail
Link
Update in
Allergy Immunology
Nassau
University Medical Center
Oct. 27,
East Meadow, NY
Tel: Dr. Marianne Frieri at 516-572-3214
Email
Update on Immunotherapy
and Immunomodulators
New York Allergy and Asthma Society
Jointly Sponsored by ACAAI
Oct. 28, New York, N.Y.
Contact: Dr. Beth Eve Corn
Tel: 212-241-0764
E-mail
ONGOING
World Allergy Organization Society Meetings
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Sponsored
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Top
Stories |
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New FDA chief wants medicine tailored to
individuals
The newly appointed head of
the Food and Drug Administration says the agency should pursue
discoveries into the mechanisms of disease, which may lead to
treatments tailored to individual patients. Dr. Andrew C. von
Eschenbach replaces Commissioner Lester Crawford, who had
functioned as acting head for more than year, but held the
position for only two months after the Senate confirmed him.
Crawford's recent resignation was not expected, and he gave no
specific reason for his departure. Critics contended the FDA,
under Crawford’s leadership, had become more interested in
politics or benefiting drug companies than in its mission to
protect consumers. 
Laughter can trigger asthma symptoms
Among people with asthma, more than half say their symptoms
can be triggered by laughter, according to a study presented at
an American Thoracic Society meeting. The research, by
scientists at New York University, involved 235 patients with
asthma and found that 56 percent reported laughter-induced
asthma. Study authors suggested that laughter bringing on asthma
might be a sign that a patient’s asthma is not well-controlled.
In addition, asthma that was triggered by laughter did not seem
to cause more asthma episodes requiring emergency department
visits or hospitalizations, compared with other types of asthma,
according to lead researcher Dr. Stuart Garay.
Quick diagnosis clinics test marketed in Indiana
Clinics designed to treat common ailments in about 15
minutes with no appointment necessary are opening in
Indianapolis. Indiana is a key testing area for the concept. At
least a dozen clinics have already been opened or are planned
within months. The company, MinuteClinic of Minneapolis, uses no
doctors. The clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners trained
to diagnose and treat common ailments and provide basic
services, such as vaccinations. Patients will get more
convenience and lower costs for common medical procedures,
according to the company. But some doctors worry that the
clinics will emphasize convenience over care.
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 A
word from Dr. Myron Zitt, president
How often have you attended an award ceremony where the
honoree tells an appreciative audience that success could
never have been achieved without the support and
assistance of his or her spouse? So it is with the ACAAI,
whose relationship with its Auxiliary dates back to our
1954 National Convention when this integral part of our
organization was established to complement the purposes
and activities of the College. Since then, the Auxiliary
has grown to more than 800 strong. Anyone whose spouse or
partner is a member of the American College of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology is eligible for membership in the
Auxiliary. Its objectives are to participate in and
implement the activities of the College and to cultivate
and promote cordial relations and mutual understanding
among Auxiliary members. While the organization is
well-known for providing programs, tours and information
for spouses and families to make College meetings more
enjoyable, truly, it does so much more!
The Auxiliary contributes to the progress and growth of
allergy and immunology by sponsoring the ACAAI Clemens von
Pirquet awards, honoring outstanding research by
Fellows-in-Training. Awardees have developed into leading
practitioners, researchers and training program directors.
Some have been honored by their peers with election to the
College’s Board of Regents and, in fact, several have
become ACAAI presidents. Funding for von Pirquet awards
comes from Auxiliary dues of more than $13,000 annually.
Since 1980, the Auxiliary has awarded more than $178,000
to 128 young investigators.
The Auxiliary has also developed several novel programs to
raise funds to support the ACAAI Foundation. A “silent
auction” has been conducted at each of the last three
annual meetings. Last year’s auction netted more than
$12,000 for the Foundation. Other fundraising projects
have included the sale of note cards and a cookbook,
Just What You Needed—Another Cookbook, which my wife,
in her chef’s hat, enjoyed selling in Boston. The
cookbooks are composed of recipes submitted by both
College and Auxiliary members.
Last year at our Annual Meeting in Boston, the Auxiliary,
under the leadership of Past-President Barbara Finegold,
celebrated its 50th anniversary and achieved recognition
from First Lady Laura Bush, and Governor of Massachusetts,
Mitt Romney, for its outstanding contributions to the
ACAAI and to the specialty of allergy and immunology.
This year, under the direction of President Marcee Claflin,
in addition to its fundraising efforts, the Auxiliary
during the meeting will, as in the past, host an Auxiliary
Hospitality Suite, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 10:30
a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, through Tuesday, Nov. 8. An ACAAI
Kids program will include trips to the Aquarium of the
Pacific, the Discovery Science Museum and a Sunday morning
Clown College at the Hilton Anaheim. The Auxiliary
Luncheon and Business Meeting will be held on Monday, Nov.
7, on the RMS Queen Mary, and several interesting tours
will be made available, including a shopping trip to the
South Coast Plaza, a wine tasting and lunch in the
Temecula Valley, a visit to the Mission of San Juan
Capistrano, a Laguna Beach Art Walk and a visit to
Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. I particularly want to
thank Mrs. Claflin and President-Elect Bonnie Miles for
accompanying me on a site visit to Anaheim during the year
to help make arrangements for the November meeting.
The Auxiliary joins me in my enthusiasm that this year’s
annual ACAAI Foundation fundraiser will feature Jay Leno.
This upholds the long held College tradition of providing
outstanding entertainment for our members. As you recall,
the Foundation helps support Young Faculty Support and
Scholars Return grants, as well the Consortium on
Children’s Asthma Camps. Because current PHARMA guidelines
preclude industry from inviting College members as their
guests to this gala event, please be sure to purchase your
tickets to join us in what is sure to be a most enjoyable
evening.
Finally, Mrs. Claflin reports that because the Auxiliary
is now a “component organization” of the ACAAI, with a
broad membership base, including young as well as more
“seasoned” members, both male and female, and a vast array
of activities as previously noted, it should no longer be
considered a “tea and social time” organization. For this
reason, she and the Auxiliary By-Laws Committee believe
that in order “to meet the challenges of current and
future members, a name change that appeals to a broader,
modern audience is imperative.” At the meeting in Anaheim,
Auxiliary members will therefore vote to change its name
to the ACAAI “Alliance.”
With the College’s “Alliance” to participate in and
implement our activities, to support our fundraising
efforts and to cultivate and promote cordial relations and
mutual understanding among its members, nobody does it
better than the allergist! And we could not have done it
without them!
Many thanks.
Dr. Myron Zitt
President, ACAAI
P.S. After the ACAAI Welcome Reception on Saturday, Nov.
5, I hope you will join me in celebrating the 20th
Anniversary of the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of
Asthmatics (AANMA). Step across the hall to indulge your
sweet tooth at this gala dessert reception as AANMA honors
two decades of partnership with ACAAI on behalf of
patients. The event is from 9 to 11 p.m. in California
Pavilion Room AB, at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel.
Also visit AANMA’s booth, #449, for the latest information
on CHASM – the Consumer Health Alliance for Safe
Medication. Increasingly, patients are being exposed to
health risks associated with unapproved nebulizer
medications. Pick up AANMA’s free “Do Not Compound This
Nebulizer Medication” stamp and help ensure your patients
receive medications you prescribe. |
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Drugs
and Devices |
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Pharmaceutical industry
launches Web site to disclose trial data
The International Federation of Pharmaceutical
Manufacturers and Associations recently launched a new Web
site providing clinical trial details about new drugs. The
group hopes to reduce public fear regarding drug safety,
following criticism that drug makers were manipulating or
suppressing data to get positive conclusions. The site
includes detailed information about most new clinical trials,
but drug companies do have the option to withhold some
information.
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Association
News |
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 Anaheim
meeting full of innovative programs
The 2005 ACAAI Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 4-9, is
packed full of innovative, state-of-the art scientific
programs and novel social events.
View the Preliminary
Program online to schedule your plans for a successful
meeting. Scan the scientific programs, workshops and Meet the
Professor Breakfasts. Jot down the social events in your
calendar and make those last-minute tour reservations. Order
your tickets today for the Annual Fundraising Dinner with Jay
Leno on Sunday evening, Nov. 6.
• Don’t miss the first ever state-of-the-art pre-meeting
Rhinosinusitis Collegium on Thursday, Nov. 3, sponsored in
conjunction with the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical
Immunology (EAACI), designed especially for clinicians.
• On Tuesday evening, Nov. 8, educational and social
activities will be combined. Following a dinner symposium on
the topic of anaphylaxis, there will be a “walkthrough” of the
Anaphylaxis Practice Parameter at the magical Disney Animation
Studio. Be sure to join us for this very special session,
which will offer individual one-on-one educational sessions
with experts, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the
Disney Studio.
• Stay Wednesday, Nov. 9, for the half-day intensive program
on the most clinically challenging aspects of fungal allergy
and the toxic mold controversy, When Fungi Aren’t Fun.
Special programs are tailored to the needs of Allied Health
Professionals, Office Administrators, Clinical Research
Coordinators and Practical Asthma Educators.
Please visit the ACAAI Web site at
http://www.acaai.org/Member or contact the ACAAI via
e-mail at
meetings@acaai.org, by telephone at (847) 427-1200 or
fax at (847) 427-1294. Register today, and join your
colleagues in sunny Anaheim.
 Help
your patients prepare for the unexpected before it’s too late
. . .
Last May, the ACAAI informed you about the launch of the
iHealthRecord, an online personal health record for all
Americans, which was developed by Medem Inc. in partnership
with the College and other leading medical societies, patient
advocacy groups and government agencies.
Recent events, such as hurricanes Katrina and Rita, highlight
how important it is that your patients have an electronic
personal health record for themselves and each of their loved
ones.
Aside from the benefit of having access to one’s personal
health information from anywhere in the world, an
iHealthRecord becomes a repository of vital health information
that can be accessed in an emergency or when disaster strikes.
As a result of the flooding in the Gulf Coast region,
thousands of citizens have lost their paper-based records,
including drivers’ licenses, Social Security cards and health
records. By creating an iHealthRecord before an emergency,
your patients can have the peace of mind that comes with
knowing their health information is safe, secure and only a
mouse click and password away.
In addition to patient benefits, the iHealthRecord benefits
you and your practice by:
• Improving documentation and eliminating clipboards in the
office – every patient will have a legible, pre-printed intake
form when they arrive at your office
• Reducing medical liability
• Increasing patient satisfaction
• Providing your patients with peace of mind in the event of
an emergency
• Automating patient education – supporting your clinical
decisions and treatment plans
• Improving office efficiencies
Visit
www.medem.com or
www.ihealthrecord.org to learn more about Medem’s
Adherence/Patient Education services as well as the rest of
the iHealth services available to you and your practice. If
you need any assistance, please contact Medem’s Member
Services at info@medem.com
or (877) 926-3336.
20 new jointly sponsored CME programs offered across the
country
The College is pleased to announce 20 new four-hour CME
programs across the country jointly sponsored with the
Immunology Educational Institute of New England (IEINE),
entitled “Evolving Approaches to Optimize Asthma Outcomes.”
These additional jointly sponsored CME programs, bringing the
total to 36 courses in 2005, represent increased focus and
dedication by the College to provide local educational
opportunities designed to meet the needs of the clinical
practitioner.
Faculty, presentation materials, content and evaluation tools
all were derived from the prior work of the ACAAI CME
Committee, chaired by Dr. Lyndon Mansfield.
The learning objectives of the program include:
1) Describe the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis.
2) Recognize the drug mechanisms of pharmaceutical agents
employed in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
3) Evaluate the clinical efficacy of medications used to treat
allergic rhinitis.
4) Distinguish between studies that evaluate cost-efficacy and
cost-effectiveness.
The program, made possible by an educational grant from
Genentech Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals, runs October
through December, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The next
month’s programs are held:
Oct. 18, New York City
Oct. 24, Philadelphia
Oct. 26, Boston
Nov. 1, Gainesville, Fla.
Watch the ACAAI eNews calendar listing for the
November/December schedule.
 Save
the dates for the 2006 ACAAI-HSACI meeting in Greece
The ACAAI and Hellenic Society of Allergy & Clinical
Immunology (HSACI) are co-sponsoring a Joint Allergy
Symposium, Allergy Update in Greece, Sept. 6-9, 2006,
in beautiful Athens.
This international meeting brings together many of the finest
researchers and clinicians to present cutting-edge lectures on
the most important topics for the clinical practice of allergy
and immunology.
Plan to join your colleagues in Athens, one of the most
exciting cities in the world, the metropolis of wisdom,
philosophy and inspiration. The modern Athens Ledra Marriott
Hotel is the perfect venue for this meeting, with its spacious
conference center and view of the Acropolis.
The preliminary program is now available
online.
Allergy Practice Tip: Partner
With Schools
Advice from The Patient-Centered Allergy Practice
Take an afternoon to educate school nurses and parents about
managing allergies in school-age children. With their help,
children can manage better through the fall allergy season –
and stay in class. For more advice, visit
www.PatientCenteredAllergyPractice.com
These tips are drawn from The Patient-Centered Allergy
Practice, a CME Series in Practice Management, supported
through an educational grant from sanofi-aventis Group
and endorsed by the American College of Allergy, Asthma &
Immunology. |
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Fellows-in-Training |
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Welcome to the Board Review Corner prepared by Dr. Thao N.
Tran, Senior Representative of ACAAI’s fellows-in-training (FITs)
to the Board of Regents. The Board Review Corner is your chance
to test your Board preparedness.
To refer to a previous Board Review Corner, click the “Archive”
link in the left column.
Immunology Review Corner: Chapter 56 of the 6th
edition of Middleton’s Allergy Principles and Practice,
edited by N. Franklin Adkinson, et al. Review questions were
written by fellows-in-training Thao Tran and Karla Lowe.
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