The Division of Clinical Immunology & Allergy is one of the most longstanding Divisions in the Department of Medicine at McMaster and its training program was the first to be accredited in Canada, outside of Quebec (established in 1970). The division comprises both full- and part-time members, with a large, active residency training program. In addition, the division is responsible for undergraduate and postgraduate clinical immunology and allergy teaching, as well as supervising basic and clinical research relevant to immune diseases.

Clinics at Hamilton Health Sciences and the Firestone Chest and Allergy Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital provides services to both pediatric and adult patients, with a principal emphasis on outpatients, although there are a small number of inpatient consultations. Outpatient clinics cover a wide variety of problems in adult and pediatric allergy and clinical immunology including allergic diseases of many types, such as hay fever and other forms of allergic and inflammatory rhinosinusitis, asthma, food allergy, eczema, immunodeficiency, adverse drug reactions and autoimmune diseases.

Weekly Allergy and Immunology Rounds are held Fridays at noon, attracting a wide and diverse constituency, with attendance by basic and clinical faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows. Other seminars, journal clubs and regular teaching sessions are offered for trainees and in-house fellows, residents and students.

The division is also involved in many research endeavours.