The Allergist

• Teaching with Feedback, Not Fireballs

  "We are all learning and we are all teaching." – Dr. Lori ConnorsWhat makes a great medical educator—and how do you actually become one? On this episode, Dr. Mariam Hanna is joined by Dr. Lori Connors, an allergist, seasoned teacher, and newly appointed Associate Dean of Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education at Dalhousie University. They explore the journey to becoming a great medical educator, how competency by design is reshaping training, and how to support the next generation of learners.Here’s what you’ll learn:How Dr. Connors’ path to teaching began with a strong mentor (and a family full of educators)The evolution of medical education: from informal teaching to formal training, portfolios, and competence committeesWhy observation and feedback—good feedback—are key to coaching for changeHow residency programs are adapting to incorporate wellness, fatigue risk management, and cultural competenceThe case for moving beyond shame-based “pimping” toward safer, more effective ways of questioning and challenging learnersStrategies to meet different learning styles and generations—plus why podcasts and other media are a growing part of the mixChallenges facing medical educators today, from limited clinic space to a changing educational landscapeWhether you're shaping the next generation or figuring out your own place in it, this episode offers practical insights and a reminder that great educators never stop learning themselves.Visit the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyFind an allergist using our helpful toolFind Dr. Hanna on X, previously Twitter, @PedsAllergyDoc or CSACI @CSACI_caThe Allergist is produced for CSACI by PodCraft Productions

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• Find time, to make time, to fix time

  “We need time to fix our time problem. And we can get stuck in this loop where we’re like, ‘I have no time to find time to make time to fix time.’”                                                          – Dr. Scott CameronIs your schedule running you—or are you running your schedule?On this episode of The Allergist, Dr. Mariam Hanna is joined by pediatric allergist and clinical immunologist Dr. Scott Cameron to talk about the chaos of clinical practice and how to take back control. With tips that go far beyond time management, Dr. Cameron shares practical strategies for streamlining clinic operations, handling unpredictable days, and investing in smarter workflows—without burning out.On this episode:The hidden culprits of clinic inefficiency—and how intake forms can help fix themHow to triage patients better, with tips for predicting complex visitsHow to schedule around unpredictability—like anaphylaxis challenges—so they don’t derail your entire dayThe “project day” concept: why setting aside time for workflow projects can save you hours down the lineCutting down on admin overload with physician-driven templates, better patient communication, and targeted uses of AIHow pairing with trainees can preserve teaching time and clinic flowMaking time-saving tools work for you: from smart goals and macros to QR codes and intake automationsGet practical. Get faster. Get home on time. It’s all about working smarter—not harder.Visit the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyFind an allergist using our helpful toolFind Dr. Hanna on X, previously Twitter, @PedsAllergyDoc or CSACI @CSACI_caThe Allergist is produced for CSACI by PodCraft Productions

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• The Suspect? Inborn Errors of Immunity

  "The key to the diagnosis of these disorders is the suspicion of these disorders."— Dr. Luis Murguia FavelaImmune dysregulation isn’t just about infections—autoimmunity, inflammation, and even malignancy can be clues that something deeper is at play. With over 500 known inborn errors of immunity, allergists are increasingly on the front lines of identifying these conditions. But when should we suspect immune dysregulation, and what does cutting-edge treatment look like today?Dr. Mariam Hanna is joined by Dr. Luis Murguia Favela, pediatric immunologist and founding chair of the Clinical Immunology Network for Canada, to break down the growing world of immune dysregulation and how allergists can spot it.On this episode:What is immune dysregulation? How inborn errors of immunity have expanded far beyond primary immune deficiencies.The 11th warning sign: Why early-onset, unusual, or difficult-to-treat autoimmunity, inflammation, or malignancy should raise red flags.Not just for kids: Many inborn errors of immunity present in childhood, but 30% of cases emerge in adults—and often go unrecognized.Suspicion before sequencing: Why a strong clinical suspicion is more important than access to genetic testing.Targeted treatments and the future of immunology: From biologics to gene therapy, where immune dysregulation treatment is headed.With a growing number of identified inborn errors of immunity, the role of allergists in spotting immune dysregulation has never been more critical. Be suspicious, always.Visit the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyFind an allergist using our helpful toolFind Dr. Hanna on X, previously Twitter, @PedsAllergyDoc or CSACI @CSACI_caThe Allergist is produced for CSACI by PodCraft Productions

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• The Penicillin Allergy Puzzle: Who’s Really Allergic?

  “Most penicillin allergy labels are not indicative of any meaningful penicillin allergic reaction, and the vast majority can be de-labelled with direct oral challenges of amoxicillin."  — Dr. Kimberly BlumenthalPenicillin allergy is one of the most commonly reported drug allergies—but here’s the twist: most people who carry this label aren’t actually allergic. So how did we get here, and what can be done to fix it?On this episode, Dr. Mariam Hanna sits down with Dr. Kimberly Blumenthal, an allergist, immunologist, and clinical researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Blumenthal is internationally recognized for her work on penicillin allergy and the real-world impact of unnecessary labels on patient care, antibiotic resistance, and health equity.We cover:Why penicillin allergy is so commonly (and incorrectly) diagnosedHow de-labelling can improve antibiotic stewardship and patient outcomesRisk stratification: who needs testing, who can go straight to a challenge, and who should avoid penicillin?The role of allergists in leading the charge on de-labelling effortsSpecial populations, including pregnant patients, children with serum sickness-like reactions, and marginalized communities with less access to allergy careInternational practices that complicate the picture—like routine penicillin pre-screening in some countriesWith the vast majority of penicillin allergy labels being inaccurate, this episode highlights why it's time to stop assuming and start testing.Visit the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyFind an allergist using our helpful toolFind Dr. Hanna on X, previously Twitter, @PedsAllergyDoc or CSACI @CSACI_caThe Allergist is produced for CSACI by PodCraft Productions

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• Crossing the threshold of more precise allergy care

  "We use thresholds every day without even thinking about it. When we do a food challenge in our office, whether we know it or not, we're relying on the fact that there is a threshold for every patient. Some are going to be on the first dose, some are going to be at the last. And that's just part of what a threshold is." – Dr. Doug MackFood allergies aren’t one-size-fits-all, but we don’t talk enough about thresholds—the amount of an allergen it actually takes to trigger a reaction. Should every patient be following the same strict avoidance rules? Or should we be aiming for something more precise?To help us make sense of thresholds, we welcome back Dr. Douglas Mack, pediatric allergist, clinical immunologist, and Vice President of CSACI. Dr. Mack is known for his work on food allergy treatment, including oral immunotherapy, epinephrine use, and—you guessed it—thresholds.On this episode, Dr. Mack and Dr. Mariam Hanna dig into:What a threshold actually is and why it matters in clinical practice – How thresholds shape food challenges, oral immunotherapy, and allergen risk assessments, even when we don’t explicitly discuss them.How much allergen is too much? – Why two patients with the same allergy can have vastly different tolerance levels, and why strict avoidance isn’t always the best approach.Eliciting dose, cumulative dose, and the numbers that matter most – How clinical trials define reaction thresholds, and how allergists can use these data points to guide patient care.Real-world factors that affect thresholds – How co-factors like exercise, illness, sleep deprivation, and even hot showers can shift a patient’s threshold and increase reaction risk.Precautionary labels, airplane bans, and the science behind food allergy risk in everyday life – What research tells us about trace exposures, why precautionary labeling varies worldwide, and how allergists can help patients navigate the gray areas of food safety.Thresholds aren’t just theoretical—they impact how we advise patients, assess risk, and tailor treatments. Dr. Mack walks us through the science behind these numbers and how allergists can apply them in daily practice.Visit the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyFind an allergist using our helpful toolFind Dr. Hanna on X, previously Twitter, @PedsAllergyDoc or CSACI @CSACI_caThe Allergist is produced for CSACI by PodCraft Productions

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