Meet Your 2026 At-Large AAAAI Board of Director Candidates

“My vision is to elevate AAAAI’s influence in national and international policy, advocating for patient care, advancing scientific research and supporting our professional community,” said candidate Taylor A. Doherty, MD, FAAAAI. Dr. Doherty is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the University of California, San Diego. In 2023, he was inducted into the American Society for Clinical Investigation and maintains an active National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Veterans Affairs (VA)-funded laboratory. “Given today’s challenging funding landscape, I am dedicated to expanding clinical and translational grant opportunities for junior investigators to support the next generation of diverse leaders in allergy/immunology.”

Advocacy is a major priority for Lynda G. Kabbash, MD, FAAAAI, an allergist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “In over a decade of active involvement in the American Medical Association (AMA) and AAAAI I have never been as concerned about the future of our profession and care for our patients,” she said. “In tandem with my position as chair of the AAAAI Advocacy Committee and chair of Regional, State and Local Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society (RSLAAIS), an At-Large Director position will allow me to contribute in a more significant way. I believe this is the optimal time to be empowered to raise an informed voice on behalf of our members, our local and regional allergy societies and our patients.”

Paneez Khoury, MD, MHSc, FAAAAI, seeks to help shape the future of the field through mentorship and innovation across clinical practice, education and scientific discovery. “I am especially committed to mentoring the next generation of clinician-scientists, equipping them to become leaders who will advance and redefine our specialty,” she said. “I will champion initiatives that cultivate future leaders, promote innovation and technology in training and clinical practice, and build inclusive, interdisciplinary partnerships.” Dr. Khoury is Head of the Eosinophil Clinical Research Unit, Senior Clinician in the Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, and Fellowship Training Program Director in National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

“I would bring energy, institutional knowledge and a collaborative spirit to the board, with a commitment to fostering innovation, health equity and member engagement across all career stages. I believe in the AAAAI’s mission and would be proud to help shape its future,” said Joseph D. Diaz, MD, FAAAAI. He recently retired from Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of South Texas (AllergySA), a large group practice he founded in 1988, and serves as Adjunct Clinical Professor at UT Health San Antonio. His time as chair of the AAAAI Foundation’s Special Events Committee, he explained, also granted him experience with mobilizing resources and inspiring collaboration that would help the AAAAI achieve its goals.

Jill A. Poole, MD, FAAAAI, Chief of the inaugural Division of Allergy and Immunology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, also believes her years of committee work, as well as her position as chair of the Environmental & Occupational Respiratory Diseases (EORD) Interest Section, will help her lead on the Board of Directors. “I believe in the AAAAI’s mission to elevate the field through education, research and advocacy, and I hope to contribute by promoting diversity in training, expanding research opportunities and supporting future leaders in allergy and immunology,” she said. “It would be an honor to help guide the AAAAI’s efforts and ensure a vibrant future for our profession and the patients we serve.”

For Tolly Epstein, MD, MS, FAAAAI, the AAAAI has been a focal point for academic and professional growth, and she is confident her experience can help the AAAAI continue to thrive. She’s currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati and Marian University, and in full-time private practice at Allergy Partners of Central Indiana. “I bring valuable perspective as both an academic and a private practitioner and can utilize previous research and leadership experiences to help promote the patient-centered mission of the AAAAI,” she said. “I would like to continue to contribute to our field by serving as an At-Large Member of the Board of Directors.”

Click here to learn more about all of the Board of Directors candidates and to submit your votes for the future leaders of the AAAAI. You can also download the ballot here.

All ballots must be cast online or postmarked on or before December 31 at 5:00 pm CT. Election results will be announced by email shortly after the election, and the new officers will take their positions during the 2026 AAAAI Business Meeting.