Meet the New President of the ACAAI
In this episode of the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast, we continue our tradition of interviewing the new president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI).
Cherie Zachary, MD, joins co-hosts Kortney and Payel Gupta, MD, to share her story as both a doctor and a patient with allergic disease. She explains why there are not enough allergists in the U.S. and why representation in medicine matters for allergy and asthma outcomes. Dr. Zachary also shares what she is doing as ACAAI president to help change this by increasing exposure to allergy care through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
You can listen to the podcast on ItchPodcast.com or download it for listening anytime, anywhere, at:
We thank ACAAI for their support of Allergy & Asthma Network and this podcast.
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Any mention of brands is also informational and not an endorsement. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical questions or concerns.
Key takeaways about Dr. Zachary’s work as ACAAI president
Many patients wait a long time to see an allergist. Some people cannot access specialty care at all. Learning how allergists are trained and why shortages exist can help patients better understand the system and speak up for their care.
This episode also explains how the environment and social factors can worsen allergies and asthma. It shows why culturally responsive care and a more diverse healthcare workforce matter.
- How the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology supports doctors and provides patients with trusted, science-based education.
- How trust, communication, and health outcomes improve when care reflects patient communities.
- How allergists are trained and why shortages exist. Why limited training programs lead to long wait times for patients.
- How ACAAI is working to grow the allergy workforce.
- How national programs aim to expand training and improve access to care.
Timestamps for podcast on Allergy & Asthma Network
01:26 — Meet Dr. Zachary
03:20 — What is the ACAAI
05:45 — How the ACAAI supports patients
07:50 — Dr. Zachary’s presidential initiative
09:45 — Why diversity in medicine matters
14:30 — Representation in the physician workforce
16:50 — Addressing the allergist shortage
18:50 — What ACGME means
21:35 — Why choose allergy and immunology
26:06 — A message for patients
