FAACT's Roundtable

This episode takes a deep dive into the nutrition challenges faced by families managing EoE and food allergies. FAACT Medical Advisory Board member Alison Cassin, MS, RD, LD , who works at Cincinnati Children’s Center for Eosinophilic Disorders (CCED), provides nutritional tips for active children and athletes. To keep you in the know, here are a few helpful links: FAACT's Allergen-Friendly R...

Heading Back-to-School with food allergies can be challenging, but anxiety might be higher this year as the Covid-19 Pandemic continues. We're sitting down with FAACT's Director of Behavioral Health, Emery Brown, MA, Ed. S., NCSP, School Psychology , to discover tools to help families keep anxiety in check and how to create a positive environment surrounding school. Ms. Brown provides fr...

Nationally certified school nurse, Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN , whose commentary has been featured on CNN and the New York Times , discusses concerns, possible solutions, and tips for approaching this unusual start to the school year, including tips for students with food allergies. To keep you in the know, here are some helpful links: Our Children Will Suffer If Adults Can't Get Covid-19 Pre...

In this episode, Rachel Ojha, Director of Medical Affairs, Specialized Pediatrics at Nutricia , takes us into a deep dive into the specialized world of amino acid-based nutrition often used by children with food allergies, and related GI/allergic conditions like FPIES and EoE. Learn more about how amino acid-based nutrition can change lives! To keep you in the know, here are a few helpful links: N...

In this episode, Chef Diego Baraona – executive chef, culinary instructor, and former Culinary Manager of the Bionutritional Kitchen at Mount Sinai Health System in the Clinical Research Unit for Pediatric Allergy Research – shows us how to help teens approach food-allergy cooking as a beautiful adventure into food and spices. Chef Diego reviews the importance of knife skills and proper equipment...

In this episode, we get down to the basics to help you  get ready for a great return to school! We sit down with FAACT’s General Counsel and Vice President of Civil Rights Advocacy, Amelia Smith, JD, to help us dust off our accommodations skills and to re-visit the basics for success. To keep you in the know, here are some helpful links: Special Note: Please contact Amelia. Smith@FoodAllergyAwaren...

We sit down with two mental health experts to explore how to re-engage with our new normal and our lives as parents and caregivers. Isolation had an impact and Linda Herbert, Ph. D. , an assistant professor in the Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health at Children’s National Hospital, and Nancy Rotter, Ph. D. , Director of Psychological Services, Food Allergy Center, Massachusetts General an...

In this special extended-length edition back-to-school podcast, we explore recovery and how to create a solid return to school in the fall, even if your student was able to partially attend school last spring. We discuss all academic phases (elementary, middle, and high school plus college), including challenges and tips. To help parents and caregivers prepare for the transition, we're sittin...

In this episode, we sit down with board-certified allergist and FAACT Medical Advisory Board Member, Jonathan Spergel, MD, Ph. D. , Chief of Allergy Section and Co-director, Center for Pediatric Eosinophilic Disorders at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), to discuss steps parents and caregivers can take to prevent children from developing a food allergy. In addition, Dr. Spergel shar...

In this episode, we sit down with two experts to learn how we can conquer environmental allergies and allergic rhinitis. FAACT Medical Advisory Board member and past president of The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Todd Mahr, MD, and Mr. Dan Commerford , Director of Marketing of ALK, North America, help us discover that we no longer need to suffer through seasonal allergies.  T...

We explore the basics of good nutrition when managing EoE and food allergy with FAACT Medical Advisory Board member, Alison Cassin, MS, RD, LD , from Cincinnati Children’s Center for Eosinophilic Disorders (CCED). Ms. Cassin covers topics ranging from why some children with food allergies have food texture issues to the nutritional value of plant-based milk alternatives.  To keep you in the know,...

Juneteenth is one of the oldest national holidays in America. Kristin M. Osborne, FAACT's Vice President of Education , explains the importance of this holiday and how we can uplift and honor this day. Ms. Osborne shares how her family celebrates and commemorates this historical day while creating memories and keeping her family safe. You might find yourself inspired and drooling over her fan...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the process of participating in Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) with board-certified allergist, Dr. Brian Vickery, who discusses what to expect from your first visit to your allergist through maintenance and the remainder of your life. Dr. Vickery's signature, easy-to-understand style shines through this lively conversation. To keep you in the know, below ar...

Safely eating at a college cafeteria or dining out with food allergies requires diners to ask good questions and communicate their needs. The other side of that equation is training food service staff on best practices for managing allergens from the "loading dock to the table top." In this episode, MenuTrinfo Founder and CEO, Betsy Craig, takes us behind the scenes to learn how we can i...

In this episode, FAACT's General Counsel and Vice President of Civil Rights Advocacy, Amelia G. Smith, JD , explores the recently released international food allergy guidelines and how they apply to you and your family. Ms. Smith explains using easy-to-understand terms, elements of the recommendations, and how you can keep the focus on your student's health needs. To keep you in the know...

In this episode, we explore oral food challenges. Tapping into his friendly and easy-to-understand style, FAACT's Medical Advisory Board member and board-certified allergist, Dr. Justin Greiwe , takes us through the journey preparing for and experiencing an oral food challenge.  To keep you in the know: What is the Gold Standard for Food Allergy Diagnosis? News Roundup: Breaking News on Oral...

Join us for a light and fun conversation with Emren, FAACT's "Every Morsel Counts" Poster Contest winner! Emren created an informative poster to help raise food allergy awareness during Food Allergy Awareness Month. Food allergy advocates are of all ages, and we had quite a bit of fun getting to know one of our younger advocates. Helpful Links: Food Allergy Awareness Week and Month...

Discover tips and fresh ideas to raise awareness and celebrate Food Allergy Awareness Week and Month with Kristin M. Osborne, FAACT's Vice President of Education, as we explore special activities. Please grab a coffee and sit back as we discuss raising awareness and uplifting our food allergy awareness. To keep you in the know, below are helpful links: FAACT's Food Allergy Awareness Init...

This is Part 2 of a two-part series exploring when it is time to consume allergens from the perspectives of board-certified allergists. Listen and learn today with FAACT. We conclude this information-packed series with two allergists: Brian Schroer, MD, Division Director of Allergy and Immunology at Akron Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor Pediatrics Northeast Ohio College of Medicine and...

This is Part 1 of a two-part series exploring when it is time to consume allergens from the perspectives of registered dieticians and board-certified allergists. Have you heard of the egg or milk ladder? Do you know the difference between the amount of milk allergen baked in a muffin versus a cup of milk? Listen and learn today with FAACT! We kick off this fascinating series with two experts in th...

As the nation reopens schools, new questions arise. In this episode, FAACT's General Counsel and Vice President of Civil Rights Advocacy, Amelia G. Smith, JD , discusses current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines regarding children with food allergies and/or asthma. Ms. Smith also offers valuable tips for helping your child's school keep the focus on the child as...

In this episode, FAACT's Director of Behavioral Health, Emery Brown, MA, School Psychology, helps us explore Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating and how these conditions may interact with food allergies. Learn about signs and symptoms and how to find help, hope, and solutions. To keep you in the know, here are helpful resources: Podcasts: Understanding PTSD and Food Allergies Your Family:...

In this episode, we sit down with Gwen Smith, Editor and Content Chief of Allergic Living , to take a peek behind the scenes of America's favorite food allergy and asthma news source. Ms. Smith shares personal stories of her first reaction as an adult and what inspired Allergic Living. We explore memorable stories and why educating the public is at the heart of Ms. Smith's passion. To ke...

In this episode, we explore the complex system of the food safety culture at The Hershey Company with Kevin Boyd, PhD, Manager of Allergen and Toxicology, and Megan Kenjora, Senior Manager of Food Safety Culture . Listen to how their work is more than executing protocol to keep people with food allergies safe, but how science, safety, and passion merge to create tasty treats worldwide. To keep you...

In this episode, we explore Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), how to identify it, and what to do if you suspect a loved one might be experiencing PTSD. As we speak with FAACT's Director of Behavioral Health, Emery Brown, MA, School Psychology , we'll learn about medical PTSD, although rare, and post-traumatic growth, as well! Links and resources mentioned in today's podcast: Po...