A Letter From the President

Dear Colleagues:

This has been a very exciting time at CIS. The organization has seen growth in its membership and equally importantly, we have extended our educational and academic undertakings.

This year, three satellite meetings were sponsored by CIS at our national meeting, FOCIS. The "Immunoassessment Satellite Symposium" was co-sponsored with the Cancer Vaccine Consortium, a new coalition for us. A symposium on "Damage Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules" was co-sponsored with the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer, also a new alliance for us. In addition, CIS sponsored a half day symposium on "Interventional Immunology". This is the first time CIS has sponsored three satellites and the range of topics at these satellites mirrors the broad range of activities of Immunologists today.

Immunologists are involved in defining immune responses, manipulating immune responses and making new types of immune responses. Clinical correlates of this work range from the traditional fields of immune deficiency and autoimmunity to oncology, solid organ transplantation, manipulating responses to gene therapy vectors, and biodefense.

In addition to the satellite meetings at FOCIS, CIS also sponsored a consortium on Primary Immune Deficiencies at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Over 200 attendees made it the largest ever CIS consortium on this subject.

The changing face of Clinical Immunology today requires new attention to the training of fellows and students. CIS has responded to this by actively inviting trainee membership with reduced fees and aggressively involving trainees in membership activities. We have also recognized that research is increasingly being performed by coalitions of people with different skill sets. There is a new Associate membership category for nurses, physician assistants, patient liaisons, and others.

To provide emerging Immunologists with the knowledge required to function in a competitive and changing environment, CIS has developed a web site with slide sets, PDA downloads, and reference tables on a variety of subjects. One of the main activities of CIS is the sponsorship of three schools for fellows which provide intensive immersion in one specific immunologic field. At each school, the fellows interact with thought-leaders and are exposed to the latest research and practices. The intimate setting and ability to network are widely cited as tremendous career advantages by the fellows. The three schools are in Hypersensitivity and Allergic Diseases, Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, and Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases. The schools fill up quickly, so it is important to check our website for submission deadlines.

Communicating information has become a challenge for all societies. There is simply more to know every day. CIS publishes basic science and clinical reference materials on its web site but our main forum for communication of research is our society's journal, Clinical Immunology. The journal continues to become a major player in the world of immunology and particularly as it relates to human immunology and mechanistic aspects of the newer biological interventions. The last impact factor (2005) was 3.2 and it has been steadily rising now for several years. Submissions are up a full 25% this year. This journal publishes research manuscripts, short analytical reviews on timely subjects and short illustrative clinical vignettes. The top 25 articles and recent analytical reviews can be seen on the web site at www.clinimmsoc.org. Bookmark it now to browse the journal contents and stay up to date on all our activities.

With so much happening, it seems clear the time is right for a systematic approach to continued growth. This year, CIS will develop a strategic plan. Executive Director, Inc. staff Kay Whalen, Denise Lemke and Michelle Roach provides excellent support for all society activities and they will provide the infrastructure for the development of the new strategic plan. Councilors, committee chairs and ex-presidents will participate in forging a document to guide the society. A synopsis of the strategic plan will be posted on the web site after the winter meeting. This strategic plan is meant to serve you, the CIS members. Please email your comments, advice, and opinions to info@clinimmsoc.org. The recent growth of the society is a testament not only to the strength of our field but also the strength of our membership. I thank each of you for your participation in the society and I look forward to hearing from you as we begin our move forward.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Sullivan, MD PhD