Current Topics in Allergy & Clinical Immunology, 10/13/17

What goes on in the Press Box of the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital when it is not Game Day and tens of thousands of Hawkeye football fans are not waving? Last week, health care providers from around the region got to spend the day on the twelfth floor, while they participated in an annual conference sponsored by the Division of Immunology. The focus this year was “Food for Thought: Allergy and Tolerance.”

The day began with an address from Dr. Robert Wood, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The previous day at Internal Medicine Grand Rounds, Dr. Wood delivered the Paul M. and Dorothy E. Seebohm Visiting Lectureship in Allergy entitled “Food Allergy: From Infancy Through Adulthood.” Dr. Wood continued that discussion at the conference with more specifics on what current trends he has seen, particularly in the efficacy of immunotherapy for food allergies.

Course Co-Director and Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Ben Davis was up next to cover updates in eosinophilic esophagitis. Dr. Riad Rahhal, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology, discussed how to identify symptoms of food-protein induced enterocolitis syndrome. Between presentations, the attendees had a chance to take in the view as well as introduce themselves to each other or in many cases catch up with old friends.

The lunch hour was divided between a chapter meeting for members of the Iowa Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ISAAI) and a workshop on recognizing and treating penicillin allergy run by Allergy/Immunology Fellow Dr. Julie Caraballo. The ISAAI also paused for a group photo before the afternoon resumed.

One of the benefits of the smaller attendee size was a greater amount of interaction. Dr. Javen Wunschel, Fellow in Allergy/Immunology, helped lead a group discussion on challenging cases providers were having in their own practices. Dr. Diana Bayer, Clinical Assistant Professor of Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonary in Pediatrics, then presented updates in peanut allergy recommendations. Allergy/Immunology Fellow Dr. Amanda Lewis closed out the day with a discussion on testing for food allergies.

Congratulations to the planning committee on the successful conference and thank you to the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital for letting Internal Medicine borrow your kids’ view for the day!