Turning a Passion for Food Allergy Into Education for Healthcare Professionals and Patients

In 2024, the AAAAI worked with Genentech to secure funding for new, non-CME food allergy education, developed by members. Multiple proposals from AAAAI members were ultimately accepted and were in total awarded over $100,000 to create new, essential food allergy education activities.

Now, those activities are beginning to be released, thanks to the hard work of the lead faculty, their colleagues and the AAAAI Continuing Certification & Professional Education Committee, who reviewed each activity.

The projects all have different goals, audiences and delivery methods. One faculty member, Sayantani B. Sindher, MD, FAAAAI, wanted to reach more patients than she could see in clinic, and so developed an Ask the Expert webinar series.

Sayantani B. Sindher, MD, FAAAAI

“One of the common concerns I hear from food allergic patients is how difficult it is to find reliable information about how to manage their food allergy,” Dr. Sindher said. “We are constantly bombarded by information through multiple sources, but it is often hard to distinguish between what is backed by science and what is just someone's opinion. For patients with food allergies, obtaining the right information is critical to their wellbeing. I am thrilled to be able to participate in this educational project as it provides a resource for the food allergic community to learn about the hot topics in the food allergy field.”

Maya Gharfeh, MD, MPH, whose activity is not yet available, is focusing not on patients, but providers. “There remains a significant knowledge gap in food allergy care within the primary care setting — the very front line where patients and families often begin their food allergy journey. It is essential that these clinicians feel equipped with up-to-date, evidence-based education on recognizing, diagnosing and managing food allergies,” Dr. Gharfeh said. “Providers across a range of subspecialties also encounter food allergy concerns. Empowering these specialists with accurate information is equally important in ensuring patients receive timely, appropriate care.”

Maya Gharfeh, MD, MPH

Her upcoming activity, “Empowering Food Allergy Management: A Micro-Course Series for Providers”, is something she’s been dreaming of creating for some time. “When this grant-funded opportunity through the AAAAI became available, it felt like the door I had been waiting for had finally opened. I'm incredibly grateful for the chance to bring this vision to life and to contribute to an educational platform that has the potential to make a meaningful difference.”

Another activity coming soon is from Malika Gupta, MD. Her activity, “Navigating Food Allergy Treatments: Finding the Right Fit for You” focuses on providing providers with accurate treatment information.

Malika Gupta, MD

“With the landscape of food allergy treatments evolving rapidly, it can be challenging to determine the best approach for each patient. As someone who offers food allergy treatments in clinic, I often get questions from both patients and other allergists about the most appropriate treatment for specific cases. The decision involves many nuanced factors, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The approach depends on the unique characteristics of both the patient and the specific food involved. This complexity is what makes the field challenging but also deeply rewarding,” Dr. Gupta explained.

The proposed one-hour video will consolidate this complex information into a comprehensive, easy-to-understand resource for the practicing clinician, according to Dr. Gupta. “This will allow allergists to better provide personalized recommendations and address specific patient questions, thus simplifying the decision-making process,” she said.

Wendy L. Busse, RD

Wendy L. Busse, RD’s, micro course “Elimination Diets: Positive Language to Minimize Food Fear and ARFID” just concluded earlier in May. “I will continue this project by expanding the topic and target audience. The current course focused on elimination diets, but I would like to provide tools for giving any type of dietary advice without exacerbating food and symptom hypervigilance,” she said.

Ms. Busse has worked for thirty years as a food sensitivity dietitian, and during that time many of her clients have talked about a vicious cycle of food restriction, fear and worsening symptoms, with devastating impacts on their mental and physical health. “I developed the Conditioned Food Avoidance and Sensitivity Trap to visualize this cycle. I have seen the tremendous benefit clients have had from recognizing and softening this fear,” she said. “I’m glad there is a greater recognition regarding the importance of nutrition, but in many cases, we have gone too far. This medicalized focus detracts from the joy and connection that food can bring to our lives. I have wanted to develop educational resources on this topic for many years, and I am very grateful to the AAAAI and Genentech for providing the opportunity to do so.”

The AAAAI has a wide variety of education on the topic of food allergy, and more is always being added. If you have an idea for an educational activity, consider submitting a proposal. Online and micro course CME proposals will open October 1, 2025, and all other CME activity types take proposals on a rolling basis!