Dr. Mary Beth Fasano Begins Term as 2020-2021 AAAAI President
For Immediate Release
March 16, 2020
Contact:
Megan Brown, CAE
mbrown@aaaai.org
(414) 272-6071
Mary Beth Fasano, MD, MSPH, FAAAAI, is a Clinical Professor in Allergy/Immunology at the University of Iowa with appointments in the Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She also serves as the Program Director for the University of Iowa’s Allergy/Immunology Fellowship Program.
Milwaukee, WI – The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is pleased to introduce its 2020-2021 President, Mary Beth Fasano, MD, MSPH, FAAAAI.
The AAAAI is the largest professional membership organization for allergist/immunologists, other medical specialists, allied health and related healthcare professionals—all with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic and immunologic diseases, including asthma.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the AAAAI as your President for the next year. I am preceded in this role by outstanding leaders in the field—many of whom have served as mentors instrumental in my career development. I had hoped to greet many of you personally during our 2020 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, however the unprecedented events related to the current coronavirus pandemic made that impossible and have reshaped our professional and personal lives in ways none of us could have imagined. As an organization, we are composed of members with unique expertise and skills that can help our patients and our community through this most challenging time. I look forward to our opportunities to collaborate on important issues confronting our specialty and the patients we serve over the next year,” said Dr. Fasano.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Fasano’s passion for allergy/immunology began as a pediatric resident and then fellow at Johns Hopkins. Following fellowship she spent 10 years at Wake Forest University/Bowman Gray School of Medicine, two years in private allergy practice in Greensboro, North Carolina, and is now in the Division of Immunology at the University of Iowa. She has been fortunate to have had the support of many mentors over the years at Johns Hopkins, Wake Forest and the University of Iowa. “Their direction, feedback and friendships have shaped my career path and provided numerous opportunities for advancement and success. I owe them a huge thank you,” said Dr. Fasano.
At the University of Iowa since 2004, Dr. Fasano is involved in clinical practice and serves as the Allergy/Immunology Fellowship Program Director and medical consultant for Iowa’s severe combined immunodeficiency newborn screening program. She is board certified by the ABP and the ABAI and is participating in Maintenance of Certification with both certifying boards.
In addition to leadership roles within the AAAAI, Dr. Fasano served as Vice President and President of the Iowa Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (2011-2014). Her involvement in medical education has included service on the University of Iowa Graduate Medical Education Committee, membership on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) A/I Milestone Project Working Group and membership on the ACGME A/I Review Committee. She has served on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI), including one year as Chair (2011-2012), and recently returned to the ABAI Board of Directors as the liaison to the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP).
Dr. Fasano received her MD from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. Prior to attending medical school, she received an MSPH from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She also completed a one year research fellowship in infectious diseases at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina before starting her allergy/immunology fellowship. Her research experiences at Wake Forest related to the role of IL-1 in sepsis syndrome, followed by research during fellowship in the area of complement deficiencies and other primary immunodeficiency disorders, served as the foundation for an ongoing fascination with congenital immunodeficiencies and other immune-based disorders. “However, it has always been the privilege of caring for individual patients that has sustained my passion for our field of allergy/immunology,” said Dr. Fasano.
She met her husband Mark, a native of Amarillo, Texas, during their first year of medical school in Lubbock. They have shared many adventures over the years as their professional careers in medicine have evolved. They are also the proud parents of two children, Vince and Elena, and recently welcomed a daughter-in-law (Vince’s wife Megan) to the family.
Dr. Fasano’s family has provided tremendous support over the years. “Their patience and understanding of the challenges of a career in medicine while raising a family has been fabulous. I am truly blessed,” she said.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) represents allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic and immunologic diseases. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has over 7,000 members in the United States, Canada and 72 other countries. The AAAAI’s Find an Allergist/Immunologist service is a trusted resource to help you find a specialist close to home.