2022 AAAAI Honorary Award Recipients
Allied Health Professionals Recognition Award

Presented in recognition of service to the allergy / immunology allied health community as a leader, mentor and educator.
Isabel J. Skypala, PhD, RD
Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals
Consultant Allergy Dietitian
Distinguished Clinician Award

Presented in recognition for major contributions as a leader in our specialty. Along with the numerous positions you have held within the AAAAI and work you’ve done for the FDA.
Dennis R. Ownby, MD, FAAAAI
Augusta University
Professor of Pediatrics
Distinguished Clinician Award

Presented in recognition for your standards for clinical excellence and mentorship and support for students, residents, fellows, and young faculty.
Sandra C. Christiansen, MD, FAAAAI
The University of California, San Diego
Professor of Medicine
Distinguished Layperson Award

Presented in recognition of your ability to implement seamlessly life-long learning and professional development that considers the needs and desires of busy allergists and immunologists while remaining meaningful to patients and the public
Lawrence J. Vapniarek Jr., MBA
American Board of Allergy and Immunology
Chief Operating Officer (retired)
Consultant to the ABAI
Distinguished Scientist Award

Presented in recognition of your focus on identifying mechanistic pathways by which viral respiratory infections and other environmental (microbiome) and host (genetic) factors promote the inception of asthma.
James E. Gern, MD, FAAAAI
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine
Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Pediatrics
Distinguished Service Award

Presented in recognition of recognizing the importance of sharing strategies to running a successful practice and being instrumental in establishing the Practice Management Committee.
Marshall Paul Grodofsky, MD
Connecticut Allergy & Asthma Center, LLC (retired)
Emeritus Partner
Mentorship Award

Presented in recognition for a lifetime of service as an allergy / immunology mentor for students, residents, fellows, and faculty. And for your involvement in grant writing activities.
Andrea J. Apter, MD, MA, MSc, FAAAAI
Professor Emerita of Medicine, Section of Allergy & Immunology
University of Pennsylvania
Mentorship Award

Presented in recognition for your unique ability to influence others with you direct and honest feedback, while also giving each person ample room to grow and learn, which has made you an effective and beloved advisor/mentor.
Hugh A. Sampson, MD, FAAAAI
Department of Pediatrics; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Kurt Hirschhorn Professor of Pediatrics
Practice Champion of the Year Award

Presented in recognition of your community service, care for patients with respect to housing, nutrition, employment, and safety. As well as your initiatives to educate and facilitate allergy treatment for patients in the community.
Juanita Mora, MD
National Spokesperson
Allergist/Immunologist, Chicago Allergy Center
RSLAAIS Leadership Award

Presented in recognition of your guidance and support given to practicing allergist / immunologist mentees to develop and achieve their projects, and for empowering current and past RSLAAIS governors to serve as mentors.
Denise A. DiPrimio-Kalman, DO, FAAAAI
Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Allergy & Immunology and Internist/Pediatrician
Special Recognition Award

Presented in recognition of your commitment to serving allergy / asthma patients in India through the International Asthma Services and encouraging others to travel with you on this mission.
Pudupakkam K. Vedanthan, MD, FAAAAI
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Clinical Professor of Medicine (Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
President’s Award

Presented in recognition of your commitment to leadership development within the AAAAI which has left an immeasurable positive impact on the organization and on the field of allergy / immunology.
James T. Li, MD, PhD, FAAAAI
Mayo Clinic
Professor of Medicine