Our History
The Full Story
The Allergy Society of South Florida was formerly the Allergy Journal Club (AJC) which was founded around 1980 by Dana Wallace and Norman Wasserman. Originally, a group of allergists from Broward and Miami-Dade counties met in members’ offices or hospital classrooms to review 2–3 journal articles each month. The meetings also functioned as informal “grand rounds” for discussion of complex cases. This format continued for roughly a decade.
Over time, the AJC evolved into dinner meetings where members discussed cases and journal articles, though less frequently. Around 2000, the AJC was incorporated as a non-profit organization, with Cynthia Peterson as Administrative Director and Linda Cox and Steve Louie as co-chairs. The organization received pharmaceutical grants to sponsor CME events, typically held as dinner meetings. Meeting formats varied, including members presenting journal articles, lectures, or hosting invited speakers.
Attendance was strong among allergists from Broward and Palm Beach counties, with Miami colleagues joining occasionally. Meetings occurred on average every two months. Starting in 2012, events included both CME and non-CME pharmaceutical-sponsored meetings. The incorporated AJC concluded in 2015 but was revived in late 2016 by Dana Wallace and Shahnaz Fatteh as non-CME, pharmaceutical-sponsored dinners with guest speakers. Meetings were held every 3–4 months, continuing until COVID-19 paused live events.
The Allergy Society of South Florida (formerly Allergy Journal Club) resumed in 2021 and now holds monthly dinner meetings, usually in Boca Raton for central accessibility. Membership includes long-time attendees, as well as newer allergists, ARNPs, PAs, and fellows-in-training. Generous pharmaceutical sponsorship supports these educational and networking events. For members, it often takes just one or two meetings to look forward to the next, reconnecting with colleagues while staying current on the latest research and treatments for allergies, asthma, and immune disorders.