Ep. 143: Meet the President of the ACAAI: Dr. Cherie Zachary
Part of the series: The Itch Review
LISTEN TO EPISODE 143: Apple Podcast • Spotify • Amazon Music
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network.
We thank the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology for their support of Allergy & Asthma Network and this podcast.
We continue our tradition of interviewing the incoming president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology to learn what is top of mind for the field and what it means for patients and families.
Dr. Cherie Zachary joins us to share her personal journey into allergy and immunology as both a lifelong patient and clinician. She explains what the ACAAI does and why increasing representation in medicine is critical for improving allergy outcomes. The conversation also tackles the allergist shortage, how physicians are trained, and what is being done to expand fellowship opportunities and improve access to care.
What we cover in our episode about Dr. Zachary & ACAAI
What the ACAAI actually does for allergy care: How the College supports clinicians and provides patients with trusted, evidence-based education.
How lived experience shapes leadership: How Dr. Zachary’s own allergic diseases influenced her path into allergy and immunology.
Why representation matters for allergy outcomes: How culturally responsive care and physician diversity improve trust and health outcomes.
Why there are not enough allergists: How training bottlenecks contribute to long wait times and limited access to care.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Her focus on expanding exposure to allergy through HBCUs and the ACAAI SPARK program.
About Dr. Cherie Zachary
Dr. Cherie Zachary is a board-certified allergist and immunologist from Minnesota and the 2025–2026 President of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. She has practiced allergy and immunology for more than three decades across academic and private practice settings.
She serves on the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice as Chair of the Licensure Committee and has held numerous leadership roles within organized medicine. Dr. Zachary has been deeply involved in workforce development, physician education, and equity-focused initiatives, including leadership of ACAAI’s Diversity Task Force. Her work centers on strengthening the allergy workforce, expanding access to specialty care, and improving outcomes for patients living with allergic disease.
More resources about what we discussed
Timestamps
Our episode discusses how nonprofits work to improve patient care.
01:35 Lynda Mitchell’s story
03:35 Allergy & Asthma Network’s mission
04:50 How Allergy & Asthma Network’s work has evolved
08:00 Education programs
10:35 Outreach and community work
13:10 Patient voice research
15:30 Why diversity in clinical trials matters
18:30 Advocacy and policy work
20:35 PALI: Patient Advocacy Leadership Initiative
21:25 What a nonprofit organization is
23:08 How to get involved with Allergy & Asthma Network
