Cherie Zachary, MD, an allergist from Bloomington, Minnesota, has been named president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) at the organization's Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando. David Stukus, MD, from Columbus, Ohio, was elected as ACAAI’s president-elect.
Additional officers elected include Maureen Petersen, MD (Clayton, North Carolina) as vice president and Melinda Rathkopf, MD, MBA (Atlanta, Georgia) as treasurer. New board members for three-year terms are Christopher C. Chang, MD (Hollywood, Florida), Mitchell H. Grayson, MD (Columbus, Ohio), and Jay A. Lieberman, MD (Memphis, Tennessee).
Dr. Zachary is a board-certified allergist who has focused her career on patient care across all ages and leadership initiatives within the allergy community. She also contributed to equity efforts and membership development in the field. Dr. Zachary was appointed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for a second term on the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice as chair of its Licensing Committee.
Her academic background includes an economics degree from Stanford University and medical training at Howard University College of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Minnesota and a fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at Northwestern University and Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
Dr. Zachary is involved with several professional organizations beyond ACAAI: she is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Within ACAAI she has served on multiple committees including Membership; Appointments; Site Selection; Governmental Relations; and the Board of Regents. She previously led the Allergy Section for the National Medical Association and participated in Medicare’s Coverage Advisory Committee.
Patients have recognized Dr. Zachary among top doctors in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine as well as one of America’s best doctors according to peer selection.
Dr. Stukus is a clinical professor in pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Division of Allergy & Immunology in Columbus where he directs the Food Allergy Treatment Center after founding its Complex Asthma Clinic in 2011 for children with severe asthma.
He provides clinical care for pediatric food allergies while participating in clinical research projects aimed at improving quality measures and patient advocacy efforts along with medical education outreach both nationally and internationally through lectureships and awards from various organizations worldwide. His involvement with ACAAI includes serving on several key committees such as Budget & Finance; Education Council; Executive Committee; Fit Bowl Planning Committee; as well as being part of its Board of Regents.
Dr. Stukus earned his medical degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine followed by residency at Nationwide Children’s Hospital then fellowship training at Cleveland Clinic specializing further into allergy/immunology/pediatrics disciplines where he remains board certified today.
For more information about allergies or asthma or to find an allergist nearby visit https://allergyandasthmarelief.org/. The next Annual Scientific Meeting will be held October 24–28.
The ACAAI is a professional organization representing over 6,000 allergists-immunologists based out Arlington Heights Illinois since 1942 dedicated to advancing collaborative patient care education advocacy research standards among certified physicians trained specifically within this specialty area.
