David Khan, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, has been elected President of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), the leading membership organization of more than 7,000 allergists/immunologists in the U.S., Canada, and 72 other countries.

“It’s a great honor to be elected to the largest professional association of allergists/immunologists in the U.S.,” Dr. Khan said.

Dr. Khan has three priorities: work on reducing the burden of prior authorizations for patients, AAAAI members, and their staff; develop a regional educational program on the importance of the allergy/immunology specialty that also encourages underrepresented minority residents to enter the discipline; and establish a research grant focused on drug allergy.

After earning his medical degree from the University of Illinois, Dr. Khan served an internal medicine residency at the Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix and completed fellowship training in allergy and immunology at the Mayo Clinic. A past President of the Texas Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society, he spent 15 years as a member of the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters for Allergy and Immunology. He also has served as Associate Editor for the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. His research interests include drug allergy, refractory chronic urticaria, and mood disorders in asthma.

With a passion for education, Dr. Khan has served as Program Director of UT Southwestern’s Allergy and Immunology fellowship program for the past 24 years – helping to train an entire generation of allergy/immunology specialists.

“Dr. Khan has distinguished himself over the years as an exceptional clinician, educator, and investigator,” said Rebecca S. Gruchalla, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology and Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. “I am very pleased, but not surprised, that Dr. Khan was elected to serve as President of our premier subspecialty organization, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.”