NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island’s Fonacier named president of National Allergy Medical Society

The Island Now
Luz Fonacier, MD hopes to raise awareness regarding diversity in allergy- and immunology-related diseases

Dr. Luz Fonacier, Allergy Section Head at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, was elected president this week of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, a professional medical organization with more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals.

Fonacier is the fourth female and the first Asian American president of the ACAAI. She is also a professor of Medicine at NYU Long Island School of Medicine. Fonacier, a resident of Great Neck, New York, previously served as president of the Long Island Allergy Society.

“The presidency of this national organization provides a platform for raising awareness on important issues such as diversity in allergic and immunologic diseases,” said Fonacier. “We must further educate healthcare providers to recognize that allergic and immunologic symptoms may present differently in patients.

For example, in atopic dermatitis and asthma, age, race, gender, ethnicity and access to care impact the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of the disease.

Currently, there exists health disparities in this regard, and I hope to shine a light on this critical issue, among others.”

At NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, Fonacier provides comprehensive outpatient care for adult and pediatric patients with varying allergic and immunologic disorders.

Conditions treated include asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergic conjunctivitis, food and metal allergies, drug allergies to chemotherapy, and immunodeficiency disorders among others.

Her special interest is the dermatologic manifestations of allergic diseases. In addition to serving as a physician and educator, she also conducts research on allergic skin disease, including new medications for atopic dermatitis and difficult-to-control urticaria. Her research also focuses on patients with suspect reactions to biomedical devices, such as knee or hip replacements, cardiac stents, or dental devices.

Dr. Fonacier is chair-elect of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and serves on the ACAAI Executive Committee, Board of Regents, International Committee, and Foundation Board.

She completed residencies in dermatology and internal medicine, a fellowship in Allergy and Immunology in New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, and a fellowship in Dermal Immunology at New York University Medical Center. Her many notable awards include receiving the ACAAI Women in Allergy Award, and the Presidential Award of the Asian Pacific Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. She is the first Honorary Fellow of the Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and delivered numerous named lectureships in national and international societies.

Fonacier also serves in the House of Delegates of the World Allergy Organization. The World Allergy Organization promotes an acceleration of multidisciplinary scientific and clinical innovation, education, and advocacy worldwide involving allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology.

NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island’s Allergy Fellowship Training Program, which Fonacier directs, was recently awarded the prestigious designation of Center of Excellence by the World Allergy Organization.

 

Share this Article