#43 - Meet the President of the ACAAI: Dr. Cherie Zachary

We continue our tradition of interviewing the incoming president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology to learn what is top of mind for the field and what it means for patients and families.

Dr. Cherie Zachary joins us to share her personal journey into allergy and immunology as both a lifelong patient and clinician. She explains what the ACAAI does and why increasing representation in medicine is critical for improving allergy outcomes. The conversation also tackles the allergist shortage, how physicians are trained, and what is being done to expand fellowship opportunities and improve access to care.

What we cover in our episode about Dr. Zachary & ACAAI

• What the ACAAI actually does for allergy care: How the College supports clinicians and provides patients with trusted, evidence-based education.

• How lived experience shapes leadership: How Dr. Zachary’s own allergic diseases influenced her path into allergy and immunology.

• Why representation matters for allergy outcomes: How culturally responsive care and physician diversity improve trust and health outcomes.

• Why there are not enough allergists: How training bottlenecks contribute to long wait times and limited access to care.

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Her focus on expanding exposure to allergy through HBCUs and the ACAAI SPARK program.

More resources about what we discussed

• American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

• Listen: Ep. 77: Food Allergy and Its Impact on the Black Community

• Listen: Ep. 108: Interview with Dr. James Tracy

• Listen: Ep. 66: Interview with Dr. Gailen D. Marshall, Jr.

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

We thank the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology for their support of Allergy & Asthma Network and this podcast.