Allergy & Asthma Network, ACAAI Join Forces to Improve Patient-Centered Care

ATLANTA, GA (November 5 , 2014) —

Allergy & Asthma Network, a leading advocate for patients and their families, and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), which promotes excellence in the medical practice of allergy and immunology, today announced a unique collaboration at the ACAAI’s 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta. Both membership organizations will combine their specialized expertise and skills to help patients manage chronic conditions while updating health care professionals, pharmacies, and government officials about current best practices.

“We have always worked closely with the College to ensure optimal patient outcomes,” says Tonya Winders, President and CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network. “This new agreement provides a novel mechanism for both organizations to educate the entire health care network on patient-centered strategies that will reduce the burden of asthma and allergies throughout the United States.”

ACAAI’s more than 6,000 members are allergists and allied health professionals who specialize in the treatment of allergies and asthma. As part of the agreement, they will become members of Allergy & Asthma Network as well.

“We are excited to establish this formal relationship between the College and Allergy & Asthma Network,” says Michael Foggs, MD, ACAAI President. “Together, we will create and deliver educational programs to the health care professionals on the front lines of patient education — nurse practitioners and pharmacists.”

The collaboration agreement immediately includes educational activities and resources tailored to convenient care clinics, pediatricians and pharmacies. College members will provide clinical expertise preparing content for Allergy & Asthma Network’s publications, including the quarterly Allergy & Asthma Today magazine, and in planning education and outreach events.

Content developed under the agreement will reside on Allergy & Asthma Network’s website — www.aanma.org — for patients and doctors. Allergy & Asthma Network's patient support phone center and ACAAI’s online “Find an Allergist” locator onwww.AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org help people locate allergists trained in treating asthma and allergies, ensuring access to specialty care.

Expanding on three decades of collaboration, the two organizations will increase their cooperation to address public policy issues such as the migration of prescription medications to over-the-counter status and legislation regarding the ready availability of epinephrine in schools. Additional initiatives will join the effort over time.

Winders and Foggs expressed confidence and enthusiasm for this innovative collaboration. Both organizations look forward to promoting a new standard of care benefiting patients, families and the entire medical community.

About Allergy & Asthma Network

Allergy & Asthma Network is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending needless death and suffering due to asthma, allergies and related conditions. Allergy & Asthma Network specializes in sharing family-friendly, medically accurate information through its award-winning publication Allergy & Asthma Today magazine, E-newsletter, website and numerous community outreach programs. Follow Allergy & Asthma Network on facebook.com/AANMA and twitter.com/AANMA. Join at www.aanma.org/join.

About ACAAI

The ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.