Speakers:
Todd A. Mahr, MD, FACAAI
David R. Stukus, MD, FACAAI
Mrs. Patricia Wedner, Alliance President

This session will address the evolution of evidence pertaining to conditions for which allergists play a central role in management. Attendees will hear discussion surrounding new guidelines, new conditions and new approaches to longstanding beliefs.

Moderator: Todd A. Mahr, MD, FACAAI, ACAAI President

Invitation only. All division directors and training program directors are invited.

This panel discussion is a program of the Joint Task Force on Academic Allergy/Immunology, which was created to evaluate needs and develop tools and strategies to support the success of academic allergy/immunology divisions. This interactive session will discuss challenges and opportunities facing A/I divisions within academic medical centers. There will be opportunity for significant audience involvement to discuss challenges, successes and opportunities at your center with other academic leaders.

Moderators: Bryan L. Martin, DO, FACAAI, and Aidan A. Long, MD

10:00 am
Welcome and Introductions
Bryan L. Martin, DO, FACAAI, and Aidan A. Long, MD

10:05 am
Task Force Update
Bryan L. Martin, DO, FACAAI and Aidan A. Long, MD 

10:30 am
Financing within the Academic Allergy Division
Kevin J. Kelly, MD

11:00 am
Mentorship in Academic Allergy Immunology
James T. Li, MD, PhD, FACAAI 

11:25 am
Questions and Discussion

11:30 am
Adjourn

Despite advances in pharmaceutical management of asthma, patients continue to have high frequency of healthcare utilization due to poor control of asthma symptoms and frequent exacerbations. Many factors are thought to contribute to this, with poor adherence to medical treatment felt to be a major factor. Adherence to asthma medications has historically been very poor, particularly with inhaled medications. Also, poor recognition of symptoms has frequently been found in a subset of patients with chronic asthma, leading to poor outcomes. Digital technology has the opportunity to address many of these issues. Mobile apps are being developed specifically for patients with asthma, including both educational and self- and remote-monitoring functions. New inhalers are being developed that contain chips to provide real-time feedback at the time of use. Digital technology has the opportunity to reduce health and social inequities incurred by the disease.

Moderators: Jared Darveaux, MD, and Mark C. Stahl, DO, FACAAI

Multiple new studies have been published that show the potential benefit of specific interventions in preventing the development of atopic dermatitis and food allergies. Allergists need to remain at the forefront of this research and understand how to implement evolving data into clinical practice. This session will utilize case-based discussions to review the most up-to-date evidence and provide practical talking points to help educate parents and primary care providers.

Moderators: Angela D. Hogan, MD, FACAAI, and Bruce J. Lanser, MD, FACAAI

Oral food challenges are the gold standard to diagnose food allergy. However, oral food challenges are underutilized in clinical practice. This session will address the challenges of implementing oral food challenges into clinical practice, with particular focus on performing food challenges in infants, as well as a review of anaphylaxis management in infants.

Moderators: Anne K. Ellis, MD, MSc, FACAAI, and Matthew Greenhawt, MD, MSc, MBA, FACAAI

From skin deep to outward, this session will discuss the etiology, management and evaluation of patients with severe cutaneous drug eruptions.

Moderators: Leonard Bielory, MD, FACAAI, and Joseph A. Bellanti, MD, FACAAI

We have an expanding supply of tools for managing the noninfectious complications of CVID. Understanding the availability and utility of these tools will help practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of the noninfectious complications of CVID.

Moderators: Nikita Raje, MD, and Benjamin Prince, MD, MSci

Several new interventions are likely to be approved by the FDA in the upcoming year. These therapies have different levels of efficacy and side effects and will likely greatly impact office flow. Thus, it is imperative that allergists become more facile with their knowledge regarding these therapies.

Moderators: John J. Oppenheimer, MD, FACAAI, and Marcus Shaker, MD, MSc, FACAAI

Moderators: Janna M. Tuck, MD, FACAAI, and Meagan W. Shepherd, MD, FACAAI

COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and our specialty is encountering both diagnosed and undiagnosed COPD patients at an increased rate. Allergy/immunology specialists are in a unique position to be at the forefront of COPD care, including evaluating potential immune deficiencies in this patient population. In addition, many patients may have asthma-COPD overlap (ACO), and there is still considerable debate in the medical community regarding the exact diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Moderators: Anil Nanda, MD, FACAAI, and Michael B. Foggs, MD, FACAAI

This session will provide the allergist/immunologist a perspective on the diversity of food allergy along racial, ethnic and socioeconomic lines. There will be particular focus on associations with morbidity and mortality, what diverse families may value regarding food allergy, how they may choose to spend their healthcare dollars and how this may differ from the primarily white, middle class families typically described in food allergy.

Moderators: Cherie Y. Zachary, MD, FACAAI, and Princess Ogbogu, MD, FACAAI

Limit 45. Seats Available on first-come, first-served basis.

These expert round table discussions will address some of the threats and potential pitfalls of allergy practice today. Choose three of the five topics and spend 25 minutes with each expert addressing a phase of allergy practice. The expert will give a five-minute overview of the topic and will then answer questions and facilitate discussion with the table participants for 20 minutes.

Table Rotations: 1:05 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm

Moderator: Warner W. Carr, MD, FACAAI

This session will address cannabis legalization and patient perceptions and patterns of use. We will discuss how cannabis is commonly used, review the importance of asking our patients about cannabis use, the effects of cannabis on the lungs (also versus tobacco) and review allergic sensitization to cannabis. Common misconceptions will be discussed including the ideas that cannabis is "good" for asthma, that it is safer than tobacco, that it is not addictive, and that cannabis allergy does not exist. Attendees will gain a greater understanding of cannabis and its effects, so they can instantly bring this knowledge to their clinical practice in order to empower their patients and advocate for their well-being.

Moderators: William S. Silvers, MD, FACAAI, and Michael R. Rupp, MD, FACAAI

This session will address relevant changes, modifications and implementation of CPT and ICD-10 coding for 2019 and the AMA's outlook for medicine. This will be accomplished by practical case-based scenarios focused on how the change may affect the practice of allergy and clinical immunology. In addition, a review of the state of politics and the national perspective of medicine as seen through the eyes of the AMA. Finally, we'll offer an update on the changing landscape on Capital Hill as it relates to the current state of government.

Moderators: James M. Tracy, DO, FACAAI, and Stephen A. Imbeau, MD, FACAAI

Cough is one of the most common symptoms of patients seen by allergist/immunologists. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to cough is paramount. A new paradigm has emerged of patients with cough (neural) hypersensitivity that does not respond to asthma, rhinitis and/or GERD therapy. Allergists need to understand the different therapeutic agents and their mechanisms of action in all stages of cough.

Moderators: Jeremy S. Katcher, MD, FACAAI, and J. Wesley Sublett, MD, MPH, FACAAI

This session will consider treatment of the itch in persons with atopic dermatitis. Should allergists prescribe monoclonal antibodies or drugs that block neurotransmitters?

Moderators: Myron J. Zitt, MD, FACAAI, and Allison C. Ramsey, MD, FACAAI

This session will review the newly published jointly developed AGA/AAAAI/ACAAI GRADE-based EoE guidelines discussing the new clinical recommendations and areas of emerging evidence. There will be particular emphasis on how the allergist and gastroenterologist can co-manage this illness.

Moderators: John J. Oppenheimer MD, FACAAI, and Dana V. Wallace, MD, FACAAI

Test your knowledge, sharpen your wits and join in the fun at the dynamic, fast-paced FIT Bowl! Participating teams from training programs around the country will compete to answer a variety of serious (and not so serious) questions posed by an expert panel. In 2018, 31 teams from the US and Mexico participated at this popular game show. Enjoy an open bar and appetizers while you cheer on the contestants.