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Introduction to the EAACI Section on Pediatrics
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Pediatrics Section
Who we are The Pediatrics Section (PS) gathers interested EAACI members whose professional activity is devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of allergic and immunologic diseases in children. In 2001 the former ESPACI (European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology) merged with the EAACI to constitute the PS of the EAACI, regulated according to EAACI Bylaws. The PS currently comprises nearly one thousand members, including over two hundred Junior members. A new Pediatric Board (see below) for the period 2009-2011 began its activity at the Warsaw 2009 Congress, with members from Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain and UK. The main aim of the PS is to promote excellence in the care of allergic children across Europe. Our priorities include enhancing the visibility of EAACI as a leading scientific society in Europe, increasing membership and establishing and improving educational activities in pediatric allergy and Immunology at all levels. Our activities also include collaboration with other societies, national or European, dedicated to general pediatrics, to pediatric allergy and clinical immunology, or to other pediatric subspecialties. We also have open collaboration with patients’ organizations. The Annual Report of the PS informs of the activities of the section, and all the members can attend the Business Meeting of the section, held in the Annual Congress of the EAACI.
What we do To achieve our goals our Section has a broad range of activities. The PS has an important presence in the Annual Congress of the EAACI, with participation in Postgraduate Courses, Symposia, and Workshops dedicated to specific aspects of allergic and immunologic diseases in childhood. The members of the PS contribute abstracts, covering all fields of pediatric allergy and immunology. The number of pediatric abstracts exceeded 150 in the last congress. In addition to the general Congress, the PS organizes every two years a specific pediatric meeting: The Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Meeting (PAAM). There have been meetings in Valencia, Prague, Estoril and Venice. The structure of the meeting is much like that of the general Congress, with Plenary Sessions, Symposia and Postgraduate and Practical Courses. Communications from the members are accepted and welcome. In this meeting there are usually sessions shared with other societies, such as the ESPGHAN and the ERS-Pediatric Assembly. The smaller size of the PAAM creates a closer and friendlier atmosphere, with fluid communication and interchange with other participants. The PS participates in the specific pediatric topics of the EAACI Allergy Schools. The PS has a great pleasure to contribute with specific sessions of pediatric allergy and immunology in Congresses and Meetings of National Societies of Pediatrics across Europe, whenever it is requested. The PS has an official journal: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, which publishes original contributions and comprehensive reviews related to our area. The impact of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology has been steadily rising in the last years and is currently ranked in the 6th place among journals in the field of Allergology. The members of the PS have free on-line access to the journal and receive the print version of every issue. The PS is committed to the recognition of Pediatric Subspecialties in conjunction with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) and with the European Academy of Paediatrics. So far, over 240 members of our Section, with long standing experience in clinical work, have received the Certificate of European Pediatric Allergist, which recognizes their capacity and skills to treat children with allergic and immunologic diseases. This process is being progressively extended to all countries in Europe. The PS has appointed a committee to elaborate a Training Syllabus for the education of future pediatric allergists. This Training Syllabus is intended to harmonize the training programs in pediatric allergy across European countries and to establish standards of knowledge and skills to practice pediatric allergy and immunology at the tertiary level. The PS has set the requirements to acknowledge the competence of medical centers that wish to obtain the Certification of Pediatric Allergy Training Centers. So far five centers in Spain have obtained this certification that recognizes their capacity to educate future pediatric allergists. The PS has a great interest in the education of Primary Care Physicians, to improve their knowledge and skills in the management of pediatric allergic and immunologic diseases. The PAPRICA (Pediatric Allergy for Primary Care Physicians) campaign provides, upon request, specialized collaboration for monographic Meetings and Symposia with this aim. The PS supports and closely works with the EAACI Clemens von Pirquet Foundation, established with the remaining assets of the former ESPACI, and created with the aim of improving the funding of research and education in pediatric allergology and immunology. The Foundation and the PS share many responsibilities in all mentioned activities. The Foundation annual report informs of its past and future activities.
Board 2009-2011
Chairperson:Susanne HalkenHans Christian Andersen Children’s HospitalOdense University HospitalDK-5000 Odense CDenmarkTelephone work: +45 65411267,e-mail: susanne.halken@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dkSecretary:Graham RobertsPaediatric Allergy and Respiratory Medicine,University Child Health (MP803),Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust, Tremona Road,SouthamptonSO16 6YDFax +44 (0) 2380878847 (Uni) Email: g.c.roberts@soton.ac.uk Webmaster:Angel Mazon RamosValencia, Spaine-mail: amazon@comv.esMembers:Susanne LauBerlin, Germanye-mail: susanne.lau@charite.dePaolo RossiRome, Italye-mail: rossipa@med.uniroma2.itOdilija RudzevicieneVilnius, Lithuaniae-mail: odilijar@takas.ltLuis Miguel BorregoLisbon, Portugale-mail: e-mail: borregolm@gmail.comAdjunct Junior Member: Mara XatzipsaltiAthens, GreeceE-mail: marax5873@hotmail.co.ukPlease address any comments and suggestions to the webmaster. |
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EAACI Profiles