ABAI Board of Directors 2025 Annual Meeting
12/24/2025
The ABAI Board of Directors concluded a very busy and productive annual meeting from October 26th – 28th, in Denver, CO.
Action items included approval of the 2026 budget and 2025 audit, and approval of the pass point for the initial certification and continuous qualification exam (CQE).
In addition, the Board elected its newest officers and recognized the incoming Chair of the Board of Directors for 2026, Dr. Julie Wang.
2026 ABAI Vice-Chair Elect (chair 2028) - Jeffrey Demain, MD
2026 Secretary - Christina Ciaccio, MD
2026 Treasurer - Jeffrey Demain, MD
The Board appreciates the distinguished service of Dr. Dana Wallace as outgoing Treasurer, and Dr. Anil Nanda as Secretary.
The Board also elected its newest Directors who will begin their term in 2027 as Dr. Jay Lieberman and Dr. Dana Wallace complete their highly effective terms on the Board full of great accomplishments and positioning ABAI for future success. With a record number of applicants, the Board elected Dr. Kelly Stone and Dr. Cem Akin as its newest Directors.
The Board received and discussed critical updates from the representatives to ACGME, ABP, ABIM, and ABMS including federal and state legislation and agency inquiries. Amy Gibson, ABMS Senior Vice President, Policy and External Relations, provided an enlightening presentation on advocacy efforts of the ABMS and member boards including a new initiative to establish a national advocacy network.
The Board was also provided an update on its sponsorship of an ABMS scholar. Dr. Sam Minnicozzi from the University of Virginia is a recipient of the grant this year and will conduct a pilot competency based medical education (CBME) project that includes entrustable professional activity (EPA) assessments.
Directors also discussed national efforts to examine alternative licensure pathways international medical graduates and efforts by some ABMS Boards to establish alternative certification pathways.
The Board also received an orientation to the Job Task Analysis Committee to be established that will play an essential role in validating and adjusting the ABAI blueprint for future assessments. All diplomates will receive a survey this spring that will be critically important to ensure that ABAI assessments are relevant to the position and duties of our diplomates.
Directors also reviewed its cybersecurity posture and item bank transition process.
Finally, the Board also previewed a new draft Code of Conduct for Professionalism and Ethics applicable to all Board volunteers and diplomates that will soon be sent for sponsor organization and all diplomate feedback before finalization and annual attestation implementation.
I am deeply appreciative of the selfless service provided by all of our volunteer officers, Directors and Committee members. ABAI is a model organization for professional self-regulation that positively adapts to the emerging priorities of the healthcare landscape and certified allergists-immunologists.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of ABAI, we thank you all.
Michael Nelson, MD, PhD
President, ABAI