What Do Your At-Large AAAAI Board of Directors Candidates Envision for the AAAAI?

Now is your chance to make your voice heard by electing the latest members of the AAAAI Board of Directors. Through January 6, AAAAI Fellows (those who have achieved the FAAAAI credential) and full members can place their votes for the next Secretary-Treasurer and three new At-Large Directors.

Candidates for the 2025 Board of Directors represent the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and approaches represented throughout the AAAAI community. All of them have unique visions about how to help the AAAAI and the A/I specialty move forward.

One of the top priorities for Amy M. Dowden, MD, FAAAAI, is to focus on growth and retention. “I would like to see our presence at medical schools across the country grow. Virtual programming targeting medical students would increase early exposure. Recruitment is only part of growth. It is imperative to support and engage young physicians. I would like to improve new members’ opportunities to find their niche within the AAAAI,” she said. She’s also passionate about growing the specialty’s influence within the house of medicine. “Continued promotion of our specialty to our colleagues and patients is exactly what we should expect of our Board of Directors,” she added. Dr. Dowden is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Iowa and Program Director for the Allergy/Immunology Fellowship Program and Curriculum Director at Carver College of Medicine.

For Angela Haczku, MD, PhD, FAAAAI, it is imperative that the AAAAI focuses more attention and resources on the next generation of allergist/immunologists. “My vision is rooted in the belief that our greatest achievements come from investing in the future of our field,” she said. “By enhancing the involvement of trainees and junior investigators in all AAAAI activities, we can inspire and cultivate the next generation of practitioners and researchers.” Dr. Haczku is a Professor of Medicine and Director of the UC Davis Lung Center. She recently completed a 6-year term as Associate Dean of Translational Research at the University of California. She also hopes to bring her experience and passion for basic science to the Board of Directors to enhance basic science offerings from the AAAAI.

Lynda G. Kabbash, MD, FAAAAI, wants to bring her passion for policy and advocacy to the AAAAI Board of Directors. “The years I have spent as an Alternate Delegate to the AMA on behalf of AAAAI and also my state of Massachusetts and the Women Physicians Section have given me invaluable experience in advocacy and policy,” she explained. “I would like to be a voice for our members, our local and regional allergy societies and our patients. By spanning the country from our state to national space, I believe I will be an excellent resource and champion in these trying times in health care.” Dr. Kabbash is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and a practicing allergist, and is currently the AAAAI Advocacy Committee Chair and RSL Assembly Vice Chair.

After many years of clinical practice across different settings, Andrea A. Pappalardo, MD, FAAAAI, has a strong desire to address inequities in healthcare and bolster the allergy/immunology specialty. “My work directly focuses on how the abundance of A/I research can translate from bench or health policy into everyday practice within our community,” she said. “We can utilize the strength of our collaborations to bolster our subspecialty and promote health equity in how people access and utilize the quality healthcare we uniquely provide as allergist/immunologists.” Dr. Pappalardo is a tenured Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Illinois—UI Health. She serves as the Allergy Service Director within her Division. Dr. Pappalardo also recently served as the Medical Director for the Mobile Care Asthma Van, where she provided school-based asthma and allergy care throughout Chicagoland in schools.

Drew A. White, MD, FAAAAI, hopes to bring renewed focus to allergy/immunology training programs to the Board of Directors. “We can all appreciate the major role our teaching faculty had in shaping who we are today,” he said. “These programs represent the future of our specialty. I would advocate for the AAAAI to assist programs desiring to expand and develop. While continuing support for allergists in every stage of our careers, focusing additional AAAAI resources on our training programs and the important early years that follow will pay enormous dividends to our specialty.” After military service, Dr. White joined the faculty at Scripps Clinic where he is now a Professor of Medicine, Head of the Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease Clinic and the Primary Investigator of the American Initiative in Mast Cell Disorders Center of Excellence.

“My vision for the future of our specialty revolves around accessibility, diversity and mentorship,” said Katharine M. Woessner, MD, FAAAAI. “I am committed to advocating for equitable access to healthcare advancements for all patients. I want the AAAAI to be at the forefront of championing scientific innovation and education. As we enter into an era of rapidly evolving science and medical advances that are transforming the lives of patients, I see the need to make sure that it is available to all patients.” Dr. Woessner is the current Head of the Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at Scripps Clinic Medical Group in San Diego. She also served as the Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Director from 2004-2016, and is a Past President of the San Diego Allergy Society and the Western Society of Allergy and Immunology.

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 January 6 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 2025 AAAAI Business Meeting.

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