Meetings

Hypersensitivity/Allergic Diseases Summer School

A joint meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI)
and the Clinical Immunology Society (CIS).

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and the Clinical Immunology Society (CIS) hosted the first School on Hypersensitivity and Allergic Diseases on August 25-29, 2006, at the Aspen Meadows Resort in Aspen, Colorado. The School was a tremendous success which can be attributed to the time and effort of the faculty and fellows.

The School was co-chaired by Thomas Platts-Mills, MD PhD and Alkis Togias, MD. The esteemed faculty consisted of: Jonathan Arm, MD; Wesley Burks, MD; James Gern, MD; Rebecca Gruchalla, MD PhD; David Huston, MD; Stokes Peebles, MD; Lanny Rosenwasser, MD and Judith Woodfolk, MBChB PhD. Nine junior faculty and eighteen senior fellows-in-training were selected to attend the school based upon their application, CV, research and letter of support.

The School began with an opening reception which allowed the attendees to meet and network in an informal setting. Throughout the rest of the week each attendee presented their research and gained valuable feedback from the discussion that followed. Learning was further enhanced by dynamic faculty presentations interspersed through the week.

One of the goals for this School was to give the junior faculty and senior fellows the opportunity to network with the faculty. This was done both formally through a career planning session and informally through discussion at coffee breaks and even during a hike up a local mountain. During the career planning session the vast majority of the attendees said they received great advice from the faculty regarding their future career choices.

This School proved to be a valuable learning tool to faculty and students alike. One attendee commented, “…this meeting was without doubt the single best educational experience I have ever been exposed to.” Another said, “I feel very honored to be part of this group that participated in the Summer School.  All the faculty and attendees were great.  It sure will influence very positively my career as a physician-investigator.”

The AAAAI and CIS would like to extend their appreciation to Altana, Merck and Sepracor who made this one-of-kind learning experience possible.