Tbilisi, Georgia: 4-5 May 2025

The Georgian Association of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (GAACI) hosted the World Allergy Training School (WATS) in Tbilisi, Georgia.

WATS is part of WAO’s Emerging Societies Program (ESP), with the objective to develop learning communities appropriate to a specific regional context while strengthening existing knowledge and skills for treating all allergic diseases. The WATS are made possible through the support of the World Allergy Organization and the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI).

The international WAO faculty included allergy experts from the United States and Egypt. Dr. Dana Wallace (United States), past Co-chair and Advisor of the ESP/WATS committee and faculty lead was joined by Dr. Elham Hossny (Egypt) and Dr. David Stukus (United States). Prof. Revaz Sepiashvilli, President of GAACI and local organizers, Prof. Tinatin Chikovani, Prof. Manana Chikhladze, and Prof. Nunu Mitskevichi introduced the program and served as moderators.

The WATS agenda incorporated an interactive teaching approach and included lectures om asthma, drug allergy, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis, food allergy, and diagnostic testing. Attendees participated in hands-on workshops on allergy skin testing, treatment of atopic dermatitis, anaphylaxis action plans and adrenalin use, and inhalational devices and action plans for asthma.

The WATS faculty also presented lectures for the GAACI Congress on the topics of The Current state of Allergen Immunotherapy, Pediatric Asthma Comorbidities, and Asthma Management using Biologics.

With 118 registered WATS/conference attendees, representing Armenia and Georgia, with students, residents, allergy fellows, and established practicing physicians, this educational event provided an excellent learning experience combining didactic lectures and workshops with collaboration and informal sharing of practice experience. Many thanks to all who participated and helped to organize this successful event.

 

Skin Prick Testing Workshop

Profs. Hossny, Stukus, and Wallace (WATS Faculty)