Demographics and characteristics of leadership at allergy and immunology fellowships in the U.S. as of 2022.

Background: The subspecialty of allergy and immunology (AI) has grown tremendously since the first fellowship programs were developed nearly 80 years ago; however, there is little information with regard to the demographic characteristics and trends in training of fellowship directors (FDs). Objective: Our goal was to analyze the demographic characteristics and pathways in training that have led FDs to advance in the field and train the next generation of allergists and immunologists. Methods: We created a list of all current AI fellowship programs and FDs within the United States. Specific biographical, training, and research information was collected via an Internet search and questionnaire responses. The data were recorded and analyzed in a spreadsheet and unpaired t-tests were performed between male versus female groups for H - index comparison to establish if there was a statistically significant difference. Results: There were 84 total AI fellowship programs with 84 FDs. Forty-one FDs (48.8%) were men and 43 FDs (51.2%) were women; mean age was 51.1 years; and the average age at appointment for men was 45.7 years and for women was 41.4 years, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.02). Self-reported race and ethnicity (77.4% response rate [n = 65]) were as follows: 55.4% white (n = 36), 23.1% Asian (n = 15), 6.2% biracial (n = 4), 7.7% Middle Eastern (n = 5), 4.6% Hispanic (n = 3), and 3.1% Black (n = 2). The average Hirsch-index (h-index) for FDs was 14.2, with an average of 42.1 publications and 1532.2 citations. The difference between the h-index for the men and for the women was statistically significant, being 17.8 and 11.2 respectively, with p = 0.0143. Conclusion: In AI FDs, women were adequately represented, and men and women were hired at similar ages. There was a statistically significant difference in research output (estimated by the h-index) between men and women. This suggests that research output did not limit women in being appointed as FDs.

The Unique Experience of a New Multidisciplinary Program for 22q Deletion and Duplication Syndromes in a Community Hospital in Florida: A Reaffirmation That Multidisciplinary Care Is Essential for Best Outcomes in These Patients.

In 2018, the first 22q11.2 multidisciplinary program in the state of Florida was created at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital following the new paradigm for best care of 22q11.2 deletion patients. Since inauguration, the clinic flourished despite challenges. Our 22q clinic has 149 patients ranging from ages 0-21. From that total, 138 are 22q11.2DS: 74 females and 64 males (44% Hispanics, 35% Caucasians, 11% African American, 3% Asian and 7% multiracial). Eleven patients are in the 22q11.2 duplication group; 7 females and 4 males (50% Hispanics, 30% Caucasians 10% Asian and 10% multiracial). Our multidisciplinary team has grown to include twelve different specialties to better serve our growing patient population and has adapted to the pandemic by offering virtual clinics. Although there are many 22q multidisciplinary clinics worldwide, our clinic has special characteristics. We have an ethnically diverse group of patients and a large team of mostly bilingual providers who are passionate about and have expertise on 22q Deletion/Duplication Syndromes. Our 22q clinic is based at a community hospital and counts on the partnership of local 22q patient support groups. The program is also unique in that it is now expanding to care for adult 22q patients. Our clinic is another live example of how multidisciplinary care is the best way to achieve the most optimal outcomes in 22q patients, and that if there is a passionate and dedicated team of providers willing to collaborate for these patients, a 22q multidisciplinary program can thrive, succeed and grow at a community hospital.