Dear Colleagues:

You’ve heard a lot about healthcare reform this past month, and you’ll be hearing even more in the months to come. This debate rages on with uncertain implications for all of us.

The AAAAI was asked to endorse the healthcare reform bill brought forward by the U.S. House of Representatives, but the Board of Directors thought that it was best not to take an official position in this extremely complex domain.

This climate of uncertainty encompasses a wide range of professional issues:

1. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has modified the fee schedule and lowered what was paid for consults.
2. The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) requirements for CME continue to change and threaten the valuable discussion and analysis of scientific information that occur at our meetings.
3. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) is under threat of being replaced by a completely new entity.
4. Pharmaceutical support for professional associations is decreasing. Relationships between physicians and industry are viewed as suspect on the incorrect premise that egregious examples of some high profile physicians represent the norm.
5. More Americans likely will have some form of insurance coverage; are we ready to meet this challenge?
6. There have been recent warnings from the FDA about omalizumab, leukotriene inhibitors and IVIG.

The AAAAI continues to represent allergy/immunology in these issues, and I thank all of you who serve on commissions, committees and panels of government, non-profit and other organizations. We are becoming more successful at having allergist/immunologists at various "tables." In addition, the AAAAI funds lobbying for federal research dollars and legislation affecting us. With the ACAAI, we jointly support lobbying on socioeconomic issues via the JCAAI.

Although we can’t guarantee the outcome of these healthcare issues, we can say that we are a leader in representing the interests of our specialty—and ultimately the quality of care provided to patients.

Future Leaders
The leaders representing the Academy and our specialty are not new to the nuances of debate and diplomacy. They received much of this training by climbing the leadership ladder of AAAAI committees. You may very well be one of these individuals. If so, how did you first get involved? Chances are, you were nominated to do so by someone who took the time to encourage you to join a committee.

I’m pleased to announce the Committee Champion initiative, which makes its inaugural appearance with this year’s committee selection process. Starting today, think about who you want to be leading this profession five, 10 or 20 years from now. Make an effort to get these individuals involved in important committee work. Or, if you see yourself as a future leader, we welcome self-nominations to AAAAI committees. You can find details on the Committee Champion initiative below, or visit here.

Case Study
I also encourage you to spend a few minutes thinking about the case study I’ve presented below. I want to make sure that the AAAAI can help all of us be the experts to make a difference in the discovery and analysis of new information, the health of our patients and in dissemination of improvements in treatment and care. As always, you may e-mail me at president@aaaai.org.

Sincerely,

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

Be a Committee Champion
Each year, the AAAAI committee appointment process gives members the chance to nominate themselves or others for consideration to serve on the AAAAI’s various committees. This year, all AAAAI members are urged to participate in the process and be formally recognized as a "Committee Champion."

"The committees of the AAAAI are vital to its success, so we’re always looking for new insight and expertise," said President Paul A. Greenberger, MD, FAAAAI. "Although members can feel free to nominate anyone, we highly encourage current committee chairs and members to nominate individuals they see as potential future leaders, especially newer members."

The process is simple. Visit here for a list of committees and the nomination form. Nominations close September 25, 2009.

Committee Champions is open to all AAAAI members in good standing. You do not have to be a member of a committee to nominate someone to serve, and you may place more than one name in nomination; however, nomination does not guarantee committee appointment. All who self-nominate or nominate others will receive a Committee Champion ribbon at the 2010 Annual Meeting.

Visit The Virtual Allergist^TM Symptom Checker
Statistics report that nearly 80% of all patients have turned to the Internet for health information, and www.aaaai.org is there to meet them when they do. To help respond to some common questions related to allergic disease, the AAAAI has created The Virtual Allergist^TM. This interactive, online symptom-checker allows users to learn more about what could be causing their stuffy nose, hives or itchy skin. At the end of the process, patients are encouraged to visit an allergist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Visit The Virtual Allergist^TM and point your patients to this valuable online resource.

Reminder to Review Package Inserts
Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. regarding Gamunex [Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified]. In summary, the letter indicated that through routine monitoring and surveillance, the Advertising and Promotional Labeling Branch (APLB) of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research has reviewed an exhibit panel for Gamunex submitted by Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. The FDA letter indicated the exhibit panel misbrands Gamunex because it minimizes risk information and contains misleading safety claims.

This is a good reminder that physicians need to review the package insert for details about the product, particularly with regard to adverse events and the peer reviewed medical literature for efficacy and safety information.

View the complete text of the FDA letter here.

Discontinued Drug Notice
The manufacturer of INTAL® Inhaler (cromolyn sodium inhalation aerosol) announced this week that it will discontinue production of the product. Orders for INTAL will be accepted until current inventories are exhausted, so the exact date of product unavailability is not known. This action is not the result of any safety or efficacy issues regarding the product, but is based upon the inability to reformulate the drug from a CFC to HFA propellant formulation.

Because of the planned phase out of INTAL, the manufacturer is suggesting that physicians refrain from initiating treatment with this product. INTAL will remain available through pharmacies and wholesalers until current supplies are depleted.

2009 Practice Management Workshop Recordings
Don’t miss out on valuable information attendees received during the sold-out Practice Management Workshop. An audio version (with synchronized slides) of the workshop is available on DVD. Special member/fellow-in-training rates are available. 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 at (414) 272-6071 or via e-mail at practicemanagement@aaaai.org. Once you have the code, visit here to order your copy of the workshop DVD.

Abstract Submission Open for 2010 Annual Meeting
Abstracts can now be submitted for consideration for the 2010 Annual Meeting. Take this opportunity to make a significant contribution to the scientific content of the meeting, which takes place February 26 - March 2, 2010, in New Orleans. For more information, visit the Annual Meeting Web site. The abstract submission deadline is September 2, 2009.

New and Improved Ask the Expert
Since it was launched over 10 years ago, Ask the Expert has become one of the most popular resources on the AAAAI Web site. Now the question submission process is easier to use and the search index has been improved. You can access this feature within its new home in the Professionals Center. Visit Ask the Expert to browse the archive or submit your own question.

Purchase the Online Board Review Course Before It’s Too Late
The 2008-2009 Online Board Review Course is available for purchase and will be online through October 31, 2009. After that date, there won’t be another course available until the next live course, taking place April 15-18, 2010, in Chicago. Whether you are preparing for the ABAI exam, ABAI recertification or simply strengthening your skills, the Online Board Review Course will give you the winning edge. Find more information here.

Apply for Fellowship by September 15 for 2010 Annual Meeting Discounts
Now is the time to apply for Fellowship with the AAAAI. Placing the FAAAAI designation beside your name speaks volumes. It makes known your level of expertise to medical professionals and patients alike. It identifies your level of commitment, and it gives you access to leadership opportunities to shape your career and the future of our specialty. Click here to get started today. Your application must be received by September 15 to be eligible for 2010 Annual Meeting discounts.

"Red Flags" Rule Compliance Date Moved to November 1
The deadline to comply with the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) "red flags" rule has been extended to November 1. This rule requires physicians to institute policies to identify, detect and respond to potential risks of identity theft. The American Medical Association (AMA) is attempting to convince the FTC and Congress that physicians are not "creditors" and thus should not be subject to the rule. However, it’s important that your practice has policies in place to comply with it. To help, the AMA has a variety of resources available here. The FTC also has a Web site offering guidance.

Grading the Claims Processing Systems
The AMA recently announced the results from its second annual National Health Insurer Report Card. The report card diagnoses the strengths and weaknesses of the claims processing systems used by the nation’s largest health insurers. View the complete findings or listen to a Webinar on the 2009 report card. For more on how this report relates to allergists, make sure to read the Footnotes pages in the September issue of the JACI.

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). To get started, log into the Members Only area and click on the NMCD logo.

Elements of Allergy & Asthma: Off to College
For many students, starting college marks the first time they’ll be living independently. This exciting transition poses special challenges for those with allergies and asthma, and it often raises concerns for parents. Point your patients to this educational feature for more information on how teens can successfully transition from high school to college, and at the same time take a more active role in managing their health.

New Online Videos Feature Allergists
AAAAI members give advice on a variety of allergy and asthma problems in these online videos from Insider Medicine. Have your patients watch the videos to get tips on how to better manage their allergic disease.

Looking to keep your PR efforts on track? Look to the Promoting your Practice area located within the Members Only section of www.aaaai.org.

Use these winning tactics to create your own success!

The Benefits of Community Service
Being socially responsible is more than just a good action for the practicing allergist/immunologist. It also offers a competitive advantage.

Given the economic climate, it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that you can’t afford marketing. Here are three reasons why this thinking may be a mistake:

1. Given the economic climate’s impact, it might be that you can’t afford not to market your practice.
2. Community service involvement doesn’t require a big financial investment.
3. Community service heightens name recognition, builds goodwill and is the best form of face-to-face marketing.

Dr. Craig’s example of best practices highlights the tremendous return on investment (ROI)—meeting his allergy section’s goals of bringing in new patients and becoming recognized as the "experts," while offering a valuable public service within his community.

Other AAAAI members have shared that they’ve gained new patients and developed goodwill by allowing allergy and asthma support groups to meet in their offices, providing AAAAI public education materials to local health departments and local chapters of related lay organizations and getting involved with volunteer programs such as the AAAAI’s Academy CAN!

What do you have to offer during these challenging times?

For other tips, tactics and templates, visit the Promoting your Practice area of the AAAAI Web site.

New Research
To make searching for literature easier for members and patients alike, the AAAAI has launched a "New Research" section, which features summaries of recent articles from The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. These summaries are aimed at medical professionals as well as health-savvy patients. Also included are important research highlights from other leading medical journals, written by Phil Lieberman, MD, FAAAAI. In addition, visitors can now easily search an archive of all previous research highlights. Check out "New Research" today!