Note from the President

Dear Colleagues:

Re: Brief Report on Board of Directors Retreat in London, June 2010

Based on strategic areas explored by the Executive Committee at its retreat earlier in 2010, each Board member participated in a task force leading up to a half-day retreat to identify new initiatives for WAO. A very well-prepared Board met in London for the retreat, allowing it to have focused discussions on new initiatives that reflect WAO's growing role and responsibilities. These initiatives are now being prioritized so they may be implemented in a timely fashion.

New initiatives discussed include the formation of a WAO Foundation primarily dedicated to benefit various educational and training projects. In addition, a WAO Junior Group will be formed to give individuals, 35 years or younger, better representation in WAO activities, meetings, councils, and committees. The Junior Group will also develop educational programs unique for its age group, participate in the WAO website and be represented at the World Allergy Congress meetings.

The World Allergy Organization logo is recognized throughout the world. A tag line was approved to be included under the WAO logo: "A World Federation of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology Societies". That's what WAO is — a federation of national and regional member organizations — all with interest in allergic diseases, asthma and clinical immunology. This statement will enhance WAO's ability to support a range of educational programs and research initiatives, particularly as they relate to clinical immunology and immunodeficiency.

Because WAO is a federation of national and regional member organizations, it is absolutely essential that it work with these groups in a collaborative and cooperative manner in many of its activities. It makes no sense for the WAO to prepare a position paper without involving these groups. Likewise, it makes no sense for the regional and/or member societies to publish position papers or statements which do not include WAO. WAO is working to increase collaboration and cooperation among its national and regional member organizations.

I'm pleased to report that a new collaborative effort between the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and WAO is underway. This initiative will result in online educational programming for and by the training programs in North America. Selected topics will be presented by experts. This online programming will be available free for all trainees and allergists/immunologists throughout the world. This collaboration illustrates how WAO can partner with its regional member societies to enhance education for physicians and other healthcare professionals throughout the world.

I hope to see all of you at the upcoming WAO International Scientific Conference on "Asthma and Co-morbid Conditions", which will take place in Dubai, December 5 - 8, 2010, and the XXII World Allergy Congress 2011 to take place in Cancun, December 4 - 8, 2011. For more information log onto www.worldallergy.org.

Sincerely yours,

Richard F. Lockey, MD

NEW! WAO Worldwide Meetings Calendar

As a new service and benefit to its Member Societies, WAO announces an interactive Worldwide Meetings Calendar on the WAO website. This new interactive calendar:

• Allows Member Societies to post their meetings
• Offers the option of searching meetings by location (region and country) and date (month and year)
• Offers viewing the calendar in different formats, such as a table, list or monthly view

The calendar can also be integrated into your own electronic planning calendar and you can subscribe to the calendar to receive updates. Just look for the Subscribe, iCal and RSS buttons above the calendar.

Most importantly, this new service will give Member Societies a chance to check existing meetings as you are deciding on dates for your future meetings.

The Worldwide Meetings calendar is as useful and up-to-date as you make it! So please use it and post all your upcoming meetings.

To view and use the new calendar, visit the Worldwide Meetings page on the WAO website at: http://www.worldallergy.org/allergy_meetings/

Small Airways Literature Update

A new article on small airways in asthma will publish soon in the European Respiratory Journal, "Particle size matters: diagnostics and treatment of small airways involvement in asthma" by Cohen, Postma, Douma et al. A link to the article (published ahead of print, 1 July) has been posted on the Small Airways Working Group website, or visit the journal.

http://www.worldallergy.org/small_airways_group/

New Member for the WAO Journal Editorial Board

The WAO Journal Editorial Board welcomes new member Luis Caraballo (Colombia) as WAO Journal Regional Associate Editor, Latin America. To view all editorial board members and explore the journal, please visit www.WAOJournal.org.

WAO Clinical Allergy Tips - New Topic!

Review the latest topic in this series on clinical insights and techniques.

Do you have vignettes to share with other practicing allergists/immunologists? Contact Stuart Friedman, MD, Medical Editor, Clinical Allergy Tips, at: info@worldallergy.org.

World Allergy Congress 2009 Final Report is Now Available

The Final Report for WAC 2009 is now available. The report was composed by Professors Carlos E. Baena-Cagnani and G. Walter Canonica along with the WAC 2009 Local Organizing Committee. The report is available on the WAO website in both English and Spanish.

Information for the Practicing Allergist

• Monthly Scientific Journal Reviews
  • Translations to Japanese, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, French, and Polish
• Reviews of New Medical Books
• Teaching Case Reports
• Conversations with Experts
• WAO Clinical Allergy Tips
• WAO-AAAAI Immunology Series: Online Lectures
• WAO Webinar Archive
• Easy Access to WAO Publications