President’s Message: Impact in Action: The People and Ideas Shaping Allergy/Immunology

Frank S. Virant, MD, FAAAAI

With the 2026 AAAAI Annual Meeting just a couple weeks away, we take you behind the scenes, with perspectives from leaders Julie Wang, MD, FAAAAI; Karla E. Adams, MD, FAAAAI; and Michelle L. Hernandez, MD, FAAAAI, who help shape a program that balances cutting-edge science, clinical relevance and meaningful connection across our diverse specialty.

Throughout this issue, you’ll see how AAAAI membership supports allergist/immunologists at every stage of their careers, from fellows and early-career physicians to seasoned leaders who continue to shape the future of our field.

Dear Friends,

As we head into an exciting and consequential season for the AAAAI, this issue of Impact highlights what makes our organization, and our specialty, so strong: the people, the ideas and the collective commitment to advancing patient care.

You’ll hear from Eugenia L. Hahn, MD, FAAAAI, whose journey reflects the importance of staying connected to AAAAI – starting during training and continuing throughout her years in an established practice. We also feature insights from Stokes Peebles Jr., MD, FAAAAI, who shares valuable advice on pursuing—and sustaining—a career in research, including the importance of mentorship, perseverance and adaptability in a challenging funding environment.

Together, these stories highlight what makes the AAAAI unique: a collaborative, member-driven community committed to education, research, advocacy and optimal patient care. I’m deeply grateful to the members, volunteers and leaders whose dedication continues to move our specialty forward.

Thank you for all that you do on behalf of allergy and immunology. I hope this issue of Impact both informs and inspires you as we move forward together.

Sincerely, Frank S. Virant, MD, FAAAAI

AAAAI President president@aaaai.org Find more inspiring stories of how AAAAI members are advancing our specialty and improving patient care in past issues of Impact on the Member Publications page of the AAAAI website. Do you have an inspiring story to offer for consideration, or know someone who does? Reach out to Impact editor, April Presnell.