Dear Colleagues:

Happy New Year! I hope that 2010 is a healthy, exciting and prosperous year for you.

The first decade of this century was one of many accomplishments for the AAAAI. This is a reflection on the countless hours of effort by our members and staff; and it proves how much can be done collectively when we work toward common goals.

It is my hope that the AAAAI will continue to be recognized as the authoritative voice for the subspecialty of allergy/immunology over the next 10 years. Here are just a few examples from the past decade:

Leadership and participation in major organizations and advisory committees.
For instance...

• The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3 of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH. This tremendous undertaking was chaired by AAAAI Past President William Busse, MD, FAAAAI, with involvement from three other AAAAI Past Presidents: Thomas Platts-Mills, MD, PhD, FAAAAI, Michael Schatz, MD, MS, FAAAAI, and the late Gail Shapiro, MD, FAAAAI. Also involved were former AAAAI Board member Rob Lemanske, MD, FAAAAI, as well as Homer Boushey, MD, FAAAAI, Michael Foggs, MD, FAAAAI, Hal Nelson, MD, FAAAAI, Stan Szefler, MD, FAAAAI, and Stuart Stoloff, MD, FAAAAI.
• The Second Symposium on the Definition and Management of Anaphylaxis Summary Report. The Second NIAID/Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Symposium (JACI 2006; 117; 391-97) was led by Past President Hugh Sampson, MD, FAAAAI. Participants included: AAAAI Past Presidents Phil Lieberman, MD, FAAAAI, Dean Metcalfe, MD, FAAAAI, and Estelle Simons, MD, FAAAAI, and past Board members, N. Franklin Adkinson, Jr., MD, FAAAAI, and Rebecca Gruchalla, MD, PhD, FAAAAI.
• FDA Pulmonary and Allergy Drug Advisory Committee members include Bill Calhoun, MD, FAAAAI, Michael Foggs, MD, FAAAAI, Les Hendeles, PharmD, former Board member, Dick Honsinger, MD, FAAAAI , and Past President Thomas Platts-Mills, MD, PhD, FAAAAI.

Outstanding clinical science and relevance for practice from The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI).
Very special appreciation goes to JACI Editor and former AAAAI Board member Donald Leung, MD, PhD, FAAAAI, and Deputy Editor Stan Szefler, MD, FAAAAI, who would immediately thank all of you who serve on the Editorial Board, as reviewers and as authors. One external measure of accomplishment by the JACI is the impact factor of almost 10, at a truly impressive and historic high.

Heightening the visibility of the specialty through public relations and public education.
As President, I have gotten an up-close look at the inner workings of the AAAAI's public relations and Web site efforts. The breadth and depth of our no-cost outreach is amazing.

Whether it's coverage on CNN or features in local newspapers, there isn't a day that goes by without mainstream media attention, as well as putting the specialty front-and-center on increasingly important social media outlets. The level of respect we receive is evidenced in a number of ways.

Did you know that...?

• MedPage Today has asked to carry our 2010 Annual Meeting press conferences live on streaming video.
• When ABC News was preparing to launch the "On Call" portion of their Web site, the network looked to the AAAAI and nearly 80 of our Media Link members for information and interviews.
• For the third consecutive year, The Washington Post will feature a supplement authored by the AAAAI.
• Our Web site resources on Novel H1N1 and allergies/asthma are some of the most "searched" documents of this kind on the Internet.

Click here to read more of the President's Message

Tell Us What You Think About the AAAAI Web site
Click here to take a quick, two-minute survey about www.aaaai.org. Act now. The survey will only be available until mid-January.

The Board of Directors recently allocated funds to redesign the AAAAI Web site to ensure that the site continues to meet members' needs while serving as the specialty's primary public education and outreach tool.

The first step in the year-long redesign process is gathering information and feedback from members and consumers who visit the current Web site. The data will provide general direction for the new site's content and navigation.

"Your input at the beginning stage is crucial," says James T. Li, MD, PhD, FAAAAI, a member of the Web Project Leader Group. "Although we may not be able to meet everyone's desires with our new Web site, broad-based input in the planning process will be very helpful."

Participate in the AAAAI Workforce Survey
The AAAAI's Workforce Committee invites all full members to participate in a national survey of allergy/immunology physicians. The information collected will be used to help A/I physicians plan for the imminent changes in our healthcare systems.

"We need to define the status quo at 2010 so that the Academy can plan using current, accurate data," said N. Franklin Adkinson, Jr., MD, FAAAAI, Workforce Committee Chair. "It's never been more important for every member of the AAAAI, regardless of where you practice, to participate in this streamlined Web-based survey which can give us a good look at your practice and the problems you are facing."

E-mail chws@health.state.ny.us to request a link to the survey.

Buy Your Tickets to the ART Big Bayou Benefit
In addition to the Annual Meeting's great science and education, make time for a night of New Orleans entertainment. The AAAAI invites you to purchase tickets to the ART Big Bayou Benefit, which will take place on Saturday, February 27.

Guests will enjoy a jazz band, magicians, tarot card readers, caricature artists, casino games and traditional New Orleans fare.

Try your luck at blackjack, roulette, craps, Wheel of Fortune or slots. If you are really adventurous, take a seat in the Texas Hold'em tournament for an additional fee. Exchange your winnings for raffle tickets and enter to win a variety of fun prizes. Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase.

All proceeds from this event benefit the mission of the ART. Visit here for ticket prices and a link to the registration form.

View It Your Way: Purchase the 2010 Virtual Annual Meeting
For those unable to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting or for delegates looking to have access to sessions they missed, the AAAAI is again offering the Virtual Annual Meeting. The 2010 Virtual Annual Meeting features over 100 hours of content conveniently packaged on a Data DVD.

In addition to audio recordings of presentations synchronized with PowerPoint slides, the 2010 Virtual Annual Meeting will also allow users to download MP3 files of all presentations, for use on portable audio players. Orders can be placed online or on site in New Orleans by visiting the Member Resource Center.

Pay Your 2010 Dues Online
Have you renewed your AAAAI membership? If not, do it today to continue receiving valuable benefits, including your subscription to The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI). To save time, paper and stamps, pay your 2010 dues online with our user-friendly and secure payment form. Click here where you'll be prompted to log in before beginning the process. Your AAAAI membership. It's more than you think.

Time is Running Out: Register Today to Attend the 2010 Annual Meeting
Registration and housing are open for all Annual Meeting delegates. The pre-registration and hotel reservation deadline is quickly approaching on February 3, so make your selections today. Early registration is highly recommended, as many ticketed sessions fill up quickly. For the most up-to-date information on the 2010 Annual Meeting, visit annualmeeting.aaaai.org. Your Annual Meeting starts now.

New CME Certificate Process
The AAAAI is pleased to introduce an online certificate system for use by all participants in AAAAI-accredited CME activities. This will eliminate the need to mail paper certificates and allow you to reprint CME certificates from past AAAAI activities at your convenience. You can also print a transcript of your AAAAI-issued credits. Members can access the Online Certificate System here. If you have questions about the system or your CME history, e-mail cme@aaaai.org.

Quarterly Practice Management Forum
Discuss management challenges and strategies with your colleagues on Wednesday, January 20 at 1 pm (EST). January's topic is "Effective communication strategies for 'outside' constituencies." Send an e-mail to practicemanagement@aaaai.org for a complete agenda and further information. Free for members and administrators/managers from member practices.

AAAAI CME Application Updated for 2010
Organizations applying to the AAAAI to accredit their CME activities in 2010 will notice some changes to the application form and the activity approval process. These include new procedures for requesting and managing grants to support CME activities and an increased application fee. These policies will impact all new applications received for activities occurring in 2010 and beyond. Complete details and a link to download the revised application form can be found here. E-mail cme@aaaai.org with any questions about the new application form or any other CME-related questions.

Practice Management Workshop DVD Released
Don't miss out on valuable information attendees received during the sold-out 2009 Practice Management Workshop. An audio version of the workshop with synchronized slides is now available on DVD, with reduced rates for members and fellows-in-training. To receive the "special rate" discount codes, contact the AAAAI Practice Management team Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm (CT) at (414) 272-6071 or practicemanagement@aaaai.org. Once you have the code, visit here to order your copy of the workshop DVD.

Claim your CME/CE Credits from the 2009 Annual Meeting
The credit claim system for the 2009 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, is available online. Claim your credits and print your CME certificate for your participation before the March 2010 deadline. The feedback you give about your Annual Meeting experiences and your educational needs will be used for future meetings, so please take a moment to complete those portions of the site as well.

Find Evidence-Based Information on CAM
As an AAAAI member benefit, you have complete access to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD). This internationally recognized evidence-based resource gives physicians the tools they need to answer questions about over 40,000 complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). Click here to get started.

Elements of Allergy and Asthma: Affording Medications in a Tough Economy
Health care is a hot topic in today's economy, and one way families are saving money is by eliminating prescriptions. Yet, forgoing asthma and allergy medications could result in a devastating and very expensive outcome. Point your patients to the AAAAI's latest educational feature, which offers tips for how to stay on track with your treatment plan during these tough times.

Allergy & Asthma Issues
The winter edition of Allergy & Asthma Issues is now available online as a PDF that can easily be printed and distributed to your patients. Topics in this issue include medication and older adults, flying with allergies, women and asthma, eosinophils and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in winter sports. Click here to download the newsletter.

Drug Guide Updated for 2010
Patients and physicians alike benefit from the AAAAI's Drug Guide, a comprehensive listing of the medications commonly used to treat allergies and asthma. Categories include:

• Allergy Medications
• Nasal Sprays
• Eye Medications
• Allergic Emergency Medications
• Skin Allergy Medications
• Immunomodulators
• Oral Corticosteroids
• Asthma Medications

Remember to submit your input on aaaai.org. Click here to take a quick, two-minute survey. Act now. The survey will only be available until mid-January.

Policy Updates
Over the past two years, Past President Hugh Sampson, MD, FAAAAI, and I have talked to you about industry/physician/AAAAI relationships regarding our Annual Meeting, committees and membership rights and privileges. Many of you wrote to me in spirited language, and I appreciate your input. At our November meeting, the AAAAI Board of Directors approved a policy that balances the need for the best science to be presented at our meetings with maintaining full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. After all, we are a research intensive/science-based professional association!

In December, the AAAAI was one of 33 professional and lay organizations to receive a letter of request from Senator Charles Grassley of the Senate Finance Committee (see http://grassley.senate.gov/news/press_releases.cfm for his press release). We have until January 31 to respond with the specified information about the disclosures of the Board of Directors and our policies for how we control content of our programs. In my opinion, our internal policies, although viewed as too strict by some of our members, have been wise ones.

A Fun Way to Contribute
Please join me in New Orleans on February 27 at the Big Bayou Benefit to support the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Education and Research Trust. There will be wonderful jazz, a party atmosphere, specialty performers and casino games with a Texas Hold'em tournament-with lessons provided for poker beginners.

Thanks to all of you who participate in our philanthropic efforts. The A/I foundation is much stronger because of the efforts of the AR Trust. This goes back to 1988 when the concept of an Education and Research fund was conceived by AAAAI Past Presidents Phil Lieberman, MD, FAAAAI, and Jordan Fink, MD, FAAAAI, and then established as the ERT by AAAAI Past President, John Anderson, MD, FAAAAI.

To witness the results of your generosity, visit here. These awardees and their accomplishments are a tribute to members stepping into action to help the specialty, our fellowship programs and our patients. Be sure to visit the newly launched AR Trust patient and consumer section of the Web site.

Best regards,

Paul A. Greenberger, MD, FAAAAI
AAAAI President
president@aaaai.org