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Academy News: October 2004
The RSLAAIS is the voice of the grass roots allergist/immunologist. Members consist of leaders involved in the regional, state and local allergy societies. There are seven regions nationally and each is represented by a Governor. Governors report directly to the AAAAI and their local societies. In order to improve communication and responsiveness to issues and concerns of the local allergist/immunologist, RSL Leadership Forums have been held throughout 2004. In the most recent months, forums have taken place in the MidSouth (Region 5), Rocky Mountain (Region 6) and Western (Region 7) regions with very positive outcomes. Donald C. Fournier, MD, FAAAAI, Region 5 Governor, stated that communication channels have opened greatly between the societies in his region. During their forum, the leaders identified three goals that they would like to achieve. The first is to increase opportunities for communication among allergist/immunologists, local and national societies. The second goal for the region is to promote the allergy and immunology profession to other physicians, payers and managed care organizations. Lastly, the region wishes to promote evidence-based referral guidelines for the allergy patient. Michael H. Clayton, MD, FAAAAI, Region 6 Governor also held a very successful forum. Region 6 also identified specific goals for their area. These included promoting the identity and recognition of the allergist/immunologist, support and facilitate involvement by allergist/immunologists at all levels of organizational structure, and improving communication regionally and nationally. Governor Sheldon L. Spector, MD, FAAAAI, said Region 7 identified several areas where the forum was helpful. They included improving communication between the regional societies, making the CME acquisition process for regional societies easier, providing CME programming on topics like headaches and pain management (the State of California now requires 12 hours of CME on this topic for re-licensure), increasing the support for the practicing allergist/immunologist, and increasing the value and respect of the allergist/immunologist. It appears that all of the forums have identified improved communication both locally and nationally, as well as increased awareness and support for the practicing allergist/immunologist as key initiatives for the RSLs to work on during the coming year. Also of note, the California Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology is currently working on a proposal with several other state specialty healthcare organizations on having HMOs be responsible for patient quality of life. This is just another example of how these forums have brought forward information that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Please note one issue that is of particular importance: HR 2023. The School Children’s Asthmatic Bill still needs our support. Be certain to contact your local congressman about this important piece of legislation. |
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RSLs: the voice of the grassroots A/I