FACULTY
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, Alaska Chapter
7th Annual Alaska Asthma & Allergy Conference
September 7-8, 2012
(as of 6/27/2012)
Visiting Faculty
Luz Fonacier, MD, FAAAAI, FACP, FACAAI, is the Head of Allergy in Winthrop-University
Hospital, a clinical campus of Stony Brook University (SBU) School of Medicine, NY, and is
the Program Director for the SBU Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Program. She is a
professor of clinical medicine at State University of New York (SUNY) Stony Brook. She
completed a fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical
Center and a fellowship in Dermal Immunology at New York University Medical Center. Dr.
Fonacier served on the Board of Regents of the American College of Allergy, Asthma &
Food Allergy, Dermatologic, Drug and Anaphylaxis Interest Section of the American
Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). She received the 2010 ACAAI Jean A.
Chapman memorial Leadership award, 2009 ACAAI “Women in Allergy “ award and the
1998 Presidential award of the Asian Pacific Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
She was founder and first president of the International Association of Filipino Allergists and
Immunologists and also served as President of the Long Island Allergy Society.
Allen Kaplan, MD, is Professor of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina,
Charleston, SC, and a past president (1989-1990) of the American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) and The World Allergy Organization (2000-2003). An author
of over 300 publications, he has contributed to studies of the pathogenesis and treatment of
urticaria and angioedema for over 40 years, and was coeditor of the first edition of Informa
Healthcare’s Urticaria and Angioedema. He has written extensively about the role of the plasma
bradykinin cascade in coagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammation and the pathogenesis and treatment
of allergic diseases. A particular research interest is the role of bradykinin in human disease
as typified by its role in mediating the swelling of hereditary angioedema . Previously, Dr.
Kaplan was Editor of Allergy and Clinical Immunology International, and Head of the Allergic Diseases
programs at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and SUNY-Stony Brook, and was
Chairman of the Medicine Department at SUNY-Stony Brook (1987-1995). Dr. Kaplan earned his
medical degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center in
Brooklyn.
Fatima Khan, MD, FAAP, FACP, is currently pursuing her allergy/immunology fellowship
at the University of Washington. She recently completed a three-year appointment as a
cancer liaison physician for the cancer program at Rush-Copley Medical Center, Aurora,
Illinois; and served as a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Rush University
2012 AAFA-Alaska Asthma and Allergy Conference - FACULTY
Immunology (ACAAI), chaired the Committee on Dermatologic Allergy of the ACAAI and the
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Medical Center. Cancer Liaison Physicians are an integral part of cancer programs accredited
by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Dr. Khan is among a national
network of over 1,600 volunteer physicians who are responsible for providing leadership and
direction to establish, maintain and support cancer programs. Board-certified in internal
medicine and pediatrics, Dr. Khan is a member of the American Medical Association and is a
fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Born
and raised in Chicago, she earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago;
and earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois Medical School. She
completed a residency in both internal medicine and pediatrics at Yale New Haven Hospital
in New Haven, Connecticut.
David Lang, MD, FAAAAI, is Director of the Allergy/Immunology Section and Co-Director
of the Asthma Center in the Respiratory Institute at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. He is also
Director of the clinic's Allergy/Immunology Fellowship Training Program. Dr. Lang is a
member of the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's Practice Parameters Task
Force and currently serves on the Board of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &
Immunology (AAAAI). He has been active in national and regional medical organizations and
has published numerous writings on asthma epidemiology, risk factors for anaphylaxis and
Ann Harbor; completed his residency in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit;
and completed subspecialty training in allergy and clinical immunology at Scripps Clinic and
Research Foundation in La Jolla, CA. Dr. Lang completed a Medical Education Fellowship at
the Cleveland Clinic in 2010 that led to his directing a course in Evidence Based Medicine
(EBM) for Cleveland Clinic providers. He has pursed advanced training in EBM, including
workshops held at McMasters University in 2007 and 2008. He is board-certified in allergy
and immunology, internal medicine and medical examination.
Dennis Ledford, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, is a Physician at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Associates of Tampa Bay, Florida, and is a Professor and Clinical Researcher at the
University of South Florida (USF) College of Medicine, Division of Allergy & Immunology. Dr.
Ledford is board-certified in allergy/immunology, internal medicine, rheumatology and
clinical/laboratory immunology. He has directed and participated in numerous studies and
clinical trials at USF and other institutions. Dr. Ledford earned his medical degree from the
University of Tennessee (UOT), Center for the Health Sciences in Memphis, and completed
his residency in internal medicine at UOT City of Memphis Hospitals. He completed a
fellowship in allergy/immunology at USF in Tampa, and in clinical immunology and
rheumatology at New York University in New York City.
Troy R. Torgerson, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of
Immunology and Rheumatology at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's
Hospital. He is also the Director of the Immunology Diagnostic Laboratory at the Seattle
Children's Research Institute. Dr. Torgerson provides clinical care of patients with immune
deficiency and autoimmune disorders, and coordinates care for immunodeficient patients
treated by hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). His clinical interests include diagnosis
and management of patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) and
2012 AAFA-Alaska Asthma and Allergy Conference - FACULTY
evidence-based medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan in
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autoimmune disorders in children. As a member of the Society for Pediatric Research, he
coordinates several joint clinical research protocols to optimize HSCT treatment in PIDD. His
research relates to identifying basic cellular mechanisms that jointly promote autoimmunity
and immunodeficiency. Board-certified in pediatric rheumatology, Dr. Torgerson earned his
medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, and
completed his residency in pediatrics and fellowship in pediatric rheumatology at the
University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.
James Tracy, DO, FAAAAI, FAAP, is a managing partner for Allergy, Asthma &
Immunology Associates, PC in Omaha, Nebraska. He is also an Associate Professor of
Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska School of Medicine and at Creighton University
School of Medicine. He is a frequent regional North American and international speaker as
well as author and reviewer of numerous scientific publications, with topics including
anaphylaxis, insect allergy and primary immunodeficiencies. A graduate of the University of
Maryland, he earned his medical degree from the University of New England College of
Osteopathic Medicine. Postdoctoral efforts include a pediatric residency at David Grant U.S.
Air Force (USAF) Medical Center, Travis AFB (near Fairfield), California, and an immunology
fellowship at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center at Lackland AFB (San Antonio), Texas. He is
year. This is his eighth year of regular trips to Alaska. While in Alaska, when he is not
fishing for rainbows or silvers or being coaxed down the Alyeska cliffs, he enjoys sharing
fine wine and fellowship with friends.
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married to his wife of 34 years Susan, has three grown sons and became a grandfather this
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Local Faculty
Harold Cable, MD, is a Neuroradiologist at the Alaska Spine Institute (ASI), which offers a
primary focus on diagnosis and treatment of spinal care, pain management, and
neuromuscular rehabilitation. Here, Dr. Cable provides expertise in diagnostic and
interventional radiology, as well as in invasive procedures, including CT directed
percutaneous biopsies using innovative approaches with large-bored needles. Dr. Cable
studied medicine at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill School of Medicine,
where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha, National Honor Society in Medicine. He
completed his internship and residency at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North
Carolina. He was fellowship-trained at North Carolina Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill and was
a fellow in diagnostic imaging, with an emphasis on CT scanning, nuclear medicine and
ultrasound. His post graduate training came as the Chief of CT & Ultrasound at Brooke Army
Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. While Dr. Cable is an internal radiologist by trade
and training, he is a self-described “Science Junky” and finds virtually all of medicine as
fascinating as when he was s student.
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center of Alaska. Board certified in allergy/immunology and
pediatrics, he is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Washington School of
Medicine and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. A nationally
recognized author and speaker, he is very active in the American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). He serves on numerous committees, including the
Pollution and Air Quality Committee, Respiratory Fungal Disease Committee, CME
Committee, AMPC and as Vice Chair of the Environmental & Occupational Respiratory
Disease (EORD) Interest Section. He also serves as AAAAI/RSL Governor of Region 6
(includes Alaska and the Rocky Mountain States). Dr. Demain is published in numerous peer
reviewed medical journals and has been featured in many lay publications, including
Newsweek. Dr. Demain completed his bachelor of science degree at the University of
Oklahoma. He earned his medical degree from Texas Tech University and went on to
complete his pediatric residency at Wright State University and his fellowship in Adult and
Pediatric Allergy Immunology at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center. Dr. Demain served on
the Alaska Governors Sub-cabinet for Climate Change, Adaptation Advisory Group. His
current research is on the changing patterns of venomous insects and pollens in Alaska, as
they relate to climate change.
Adrian Letz, MD, FACP, is board-certified in allergy / immunology and internal medicine
and is a member of the staff at the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center of Alaska. He
joined the center in 2011. He served as an officer in the United States Air Force for nine
years, and practiced in military medical centers at Keesler AFB (Biloxi), Mississippi and
Nellis AFB (Las Vegas), Nevada. Dr. Letz earned his medical degree at the University of
Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He completed his internal medicine residency
and allergy/immunology fellowship at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland AFB (San
Antonio), Texas.
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Jeffrey G. Demain, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, FAAP, is the Director and Founder of the
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Eric Meier, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, FACP, is board certified in allergy / immunology and
internal medicine, and is a member of the staff at the Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Center of Alaska. Prior to joining the center in 2007, he was an active duty officer in the
United States Air Force (USAF) and spent 10 years as an Air Force physician. His most
recent active duty assignment was two years as Chief of Allergy at the 3rd Medical Group,
Elmendorf AFB, and as the allergy consultant to the USAF Pacific Air Forces. Dr. Meier
attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. After completing
his residency in internal medicine at Keesler AFB Medical Center (Biloxi), Mississippi, he
served as a staff internist at the U.S. Air Force Academy for three years. He completed his
fellowship in allergy / immunology at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland AFB (San
Antonio), Texas, in 2005, before coming to Alaska. Dr. Meier is a marathon runner, skier
and mountaineer.
Teresa Neeno, MD, FACAAI, FAAP, has been a practicing Allergist since 1996 and is
currently a specialist at the Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Center of Alaska. She is
board certified in pediatrics and allergy / immunology. She earned her medical degree as a
Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, in 1991. Dr. Neeno
immunology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. A recipient of the U.S. Air Force Health
Professions Scholarship, Dr. Neeno has authored and published multiple articles and
abstracts. She is a frequent speaker and lecturer and has presented her research at national
meetings across the United States. Dr. Neeno frequently volunteers as camp physician to
the AAFA Alaska Asthma Camp, Peninsula Puffers. She served seven years on the Allergy
and Asthma Foundation of America, Alaska Chapter (AAFA-Alaska) Board of Directors and is
a Past President of the Board. Dr. Neeno and her three daughters are key participants in
authoring AAFA-Alaska’s storybook: Wheezin’, Sneezin’ & Itchin’ in Alaska.
Melinda Rathkopf, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, FAAP, works at the Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology Center of Alaska and is board certified in allergy / immunology and pediatrics.
She has been practicing in Anchorage since July 2006. Dr. Rathkopf has published
numerous articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, and is a nationally recognized speaker.
She is current President of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Alaska Chapter.
Dr. Rathkopf earned her medical degree at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta,
Georgia, before joining the military. She spent nine years in the United States Air Force,
completing her pediatric residency training at Keesler AFB (Biloxi) in Mississippi and her
allergy / immunology fellowship at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland AFB (San
Antonio), Texas.
Paul Stockler, JD, is an attorney licensed to practice law in Alaska and California.
He is a
former assistant District Attorney from Anchorage, Alaska (1986-1991). Since 1991 he has
specialized in representing health care providers in complicated medical malpractice
lawsuits. Mr. Stockler also specializes in licensing actions before various State Medical
Boards and in hospital privileges and credentialing matters. He has tried more than 100
cases to a jury verdict in Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona and Idaho; and was twice named
2012 AAFA-Alaska Asthma and Allergy Conference - FACULTY
completed her pediatric residency at Keesler AFB Medical Center followed by her allergy /
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Prosecutor of the Year. Mr. Stockler earned his bachelor's degree from Bloomberg
University of Pennsylvania, and his law degree from California Western School of Law in San
Diego.
Thad Woodard, MD, FAAP, is a General Pediatrician who has practiced in Anchorage for
more than 30 years. He has extensive experience in managing eczema and common allergic
disorders in children and adolescents; and his medical interests include asthma and its
origins, immunology and patient education. Dr. Woodard arrived in Alaska in 1978 on an
assignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after completing his
medical training at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He has served on the
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Alaska Chapter’s Board of Directors and is a
past president. He is past medical director of the American Lung Association’s Asthma
Champ Camp for children with asthma and has been active in supporting the Alaska Asthma
Coalition. Since 1998, he has hosted a weekly medical radio program  “Line One: Your
2012 AAFA-Alaska Asthma and Allergy Conference - FACULTY
Health Connection”  on National Public Radio's Anchorage affiliate, KSKA.
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