Newswise — Houston (Nov. 11, 2019) – J. Allen Meadows, MD, Montgomery, AL, was installed as president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) at the ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting in Houston on November 11. Luz Fonacier, MD, Mineola, NY, was elected ACAAI president-elect.

Other newly elected ACAAI officers are Mark Corbett, MD, Louisville, KY, vice president and Kathleen May, MD, Augusta, GA, treasurer. Regents elected for three-year terms include: Kevin Murphy, MD, Omaha, NE; John Seyerle, MD, Cincinnati, OH; and J. Wesley Sublett, MD, MPH, Louisville, KY.

Dr. J. Allen Meadows is a clinical instructor of family practice at the Montgomery Family Medicine Residency Program, a clinical instructor at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a solo community-based practitioner at the Alabama Allergy & Asthma Clinic in Montgomery, Alabama. He received his medical degree at the University of South Carolina and completed his residency in Mobile, AL. He finished his adult and pediatric allergy fellowship in Denver at the National Jewish Center, a national referral center for respiratory problems.

In addition to his work on the Advocacy Council of ACAAI, Dr. Meadows serves on the Budget and Finance Committee, Board of Regents, Foundation Board, Executive Committee and Annual Meeting Program Committee.

Dr. Meadows is active in his community and believes that by taking a proactive stand on medical issues he will better serve his patients' needs. He has been strongly involved in advocacy, especially in-person, throughout his career.

Dr. Luz Fonacier grew up in a family of physicians and knew from a young age that she wanted to make a difference in other people’s lives. Her passion ultimately prompted her to pursue a career as an allergy and immunology specialist. She received her medical degree from the University of Philippines, a residency in Dermatology in the Philippine General Hospital, a fellowship in Dermal Immunology from NYU Langone Medical Center in NY, a residency in Internal Medicine  at Lutheran Medical Center in NY, and an  Allergy and Immunology fellowship at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center, NY.

Dr. Fonacier is a Professor of Medicine at NYU Long Island School of Medicine and is the Head of Allergy and Training Program Director in NYU Winthrop Hospital. She sees children and adults with a variety of conditions, including allergies, asthma and immunologic disorders. Dr. Fonacier serves on the ACAAI Board of Regents, Foundation Board, Executive Committee, Annual Meeting Program Committee, Budget and Finance Committee, Asia and Oceania Subcommittee and Dermatology Subcommittee. She is also a Board Member and vice chair elect of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

In addition to serving as a physician and educator, Dr. Fonacier conducts research on allergic skin disease, including new medications for atopic dermatitis and difficult-to-control urticaria. Her research also focuses on patients with suspect reactions to biomedical devices, such as knee or hip replacements, cardiac stents or dental devices.

About ACAAI

The ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.