WAC XXIV Abstracts now published in the WAO Journal

WAC 2015 Welcomes Delegates from 71 Countries!

Lanny J. Rosenwasser, WAO President and Hae-Ran Lee, KAAACI President at the WAC 2015 Welcome Reception

From 14-17 October 2015, in Seoul, Korea, 2280+ participants from 71 countries gathered for the XXIV World Allergy Congress (WAC 2015), in collaboration with the Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology (KAAACI), and their mutually collaborating partner, the Asia Pacific Association of Pediatric Allergy, Respirology and Immunology (APAPARI).

Dr. Lanny Rosenwasser, President of the World Allergy Organization, said, “On behalf of WAO, I thank the 200 speakers who took the time to attend the Congress and deliver meaningful discussion throughout the program. My appreciation also extends to our sponsors for their generous support to make the Congress a success. I would also like to express my appreciation to everyone on the WAC Steering Committee, Local Organizing Committee, Scientific Program Committee, and Congress Organizing Committee for all of their hard work.” Dr Rosenwasser further said, “I would also like to give a heartfelt thanks to the city of Seoul for letting us host WAC 2015, and all of the delegates who attended this Congress. It wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

Starting with the opening ceremony, there were many memorable highlights to the Congress and several important WAO awards.

Dr. Lanny Rosenwasser and Prof. Mario Sanchez-Borges presented the 2015 WAO Awards to 13 recipients, including:

Scientific Achievement Award
Recognition of Outstanding Scientific Contributions in the Field of Allergy and Immunology Aiding Clinicians Worldwide to Provide Improved Patient Care
G. Walter Canonica (Italy), Gurjit Khurana Hershey (United States), Ethan Shevach (United States)

Outstanding Clinician Award
Recognition of Outstanding Performance in Medical Care and Teaching toward Enhanced Allergy Care Worldwide
Dennis Ledford (United States), Hae-Ran Lee (Korea), Eli O. Meltzer (United States), Myron Zitt (United States)

Special Recognition Award
Recognition of Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Allergy and Immunology toward Wider Recognition of Allergy and Related Diseases as Global Health Issues
Juan Carlos Ivancevich (Argentina), Tatiana Slavyanskaya (Russia)

Distinguished Service Award
Recognition of Dedication and Service to the World Allergy Organization
Sandra Gonzalez Diaz (Mexico), Noel Rodriguez Perez (Mexico)

Gold Medal Award
Recognition of Outstanding Dedication and Exceptional Service to the World Allergy Organization
Richard Lockey (United States)

Lifetime Achievement Award
Carlos E. Baena-Cagnani (Argentina)

The scientific program was one of the finest in Congress history. Ethan Shevach, Gurjit Khurana Hershey, Dean Metcalfe, and Hirohisa Saito delivered the four compelling Keynote Lectures. Four Plenary Sessions covered topics of current importance, including Recent Advances and the Future of Immunotherapy; Viral Exacerbation of Asthma; Atopic Dermatitis from Barrier to Inflammation, and Anaphylaxis Through the Life Cycle. Additionally, there were 24 travel grant awards to WAO Junior Members. Finally, the Congress included 761 abstracts displayed in poster sessions, 31 of which received an Outstanding Abstract Award.

The WAC 2015 program offered a wide range of topics, from basic science to precision medicine for allergy and asthma. It also highlighted unmet needs and future challenges in order to encourage advancements that will lead to improved patient care. This kind of information exchange is needed to help expand the knowledge and practice of allergy,” said Dr Rosenwasser.

Thank you for your participation in WAC 2015. We hope that you enjoyed your time in Seoul, Korea.