Seven Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Physicians Receive Top Doctors Honors in Atlanta (2017)

Updated on Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Seven physicians from Atlanta Allergy & Asthma — the largest allergy practice in Georgia — rank among metro Atlanta’s Top Doctors in Atlanta magazine’s July issue. In all, more than half of the physicians in the publication’s allergy and immunology category come from this one practice.

Those physicians are: Drs. Stanley M. Fineman, Erinn T. Gardner, Linda D. Guydon, Kevin L. Schaffer, Kathleen A. Sheerin, David D. Tanner, and John A. Zora. Atlanta Allergy & Asthma is no stranger to the accolade, having had multiple physicians on the Top Doctors list since its inception.

In addition to Atlanta magazine’s Top Doctors honors, Castle Connolly recognizes Dr. David Carlton of Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s Rome office as a Regional Top Doc.

Atlanta magazine uses a database of top doctors compiled by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., an established healthcare research company based in New York, to assist in its annual effort. This year, the publication honors 720 physicians. Doctors are nominated for consideration through both a nationwide survey and a peer nomination process open to licensed physicians in Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, and Rockdale counties. Castle Connolly’s physician-led team of researchers then select the Top Doctors through a rigorous screening process that includes an evaluation of educational and professional experience.

Dr. Tanner, who serves as Medical Director for the practice, said Atlanta Allergy & Asthma is honored to have so many of its board-certified allergy specialists recognized as Top Doctors.

“At Atlanta Allergy & Asthma, we strive to craft a team of physicians dedicated to operating with integrity and high standards in order to improve the lives of our patients,” he said. “Having a large number of our specialists appear on this list helps validate that mission. Diagnosing and treating allergy and asthma conditions not only influences a patient’s quality of life, but also can save lives. This recognition certainly helps bring awareness to the significance of our specialty.”

Dr. Stanley M. Fineman practices at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s East Cobb and Kennestone offices. Dr. Fineman has been in private allergy practice for more than 35 years. After earning his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. Fineman completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati. Additionally, Dr. Fineman completed his fellowship in allergy and immunology at Harvard University School of Medicine. Dr. Fineman is board certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology. He is a fellow in the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has held leadership positions with several national and international allergy organizations. Dr. Fineman also earned an MBA from Kennesaw State University and is a frequent lecturer at regional, national and international medical meetings. Dr. Fineman has received Top Doctor honors in multiple years.

Dr. Erinn T. Gardner practices at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s Canton and Douglasville offices. After earning her bachelors degree from Spelman College, Dr. Gardner received her medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Northwestern University and her fellowship in allergy and immunology at Northwestern University and Northwestern University Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Gardner is board certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology and is a member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Society of Georgia. Her special interests include the management of chronic cough, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.

Dr. Linda D. Guydon practices at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s Johns Creek and Northlake offices. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Mercer University, Dr. Guydon earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School. Additionally, Dr. Guydon completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Boston City Hospital. Dr. Guydon is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Allergy & Immunology. She is a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology and her specialty areas include the management of asthma and sinus diseases. Dr. Guydon has received Top Doctor honors in multiple years.

Dr. Kevin L. Schaffer practices at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s Sandy Springs and Snellville offices. Dr. Schaffer received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis and earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at Stanford University, where he also received his specialty training in allergy and immunology. Dr. Schaffer is board-certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology and participates in their Maintenance of Certification program, most recently receiving recertification in 2013. He also is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Schaffer is a fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. He is a past president of the Georgia Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Dr. Schaffer has been actively involved in clinical research, serving as principal investigator of numerous trials and has published articles in medical journals.

Dr. Kathleen A. Sheerin practices at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s Lawrenceville and Sandy Springs offices. Dr. Sheerin received her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, and her medical degree from Duke University. She completed her residency at Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine, where she also spent a year completing a fellowship program in pediatric rheumatology. Dr. Sheerin also completed a three-year fellowship in allergy and immunology at Duke University. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Allergy & Immunology. She is a fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Sheerin specializes in food allergy and anaphylaxis and is a top allergist in Atlanta. Dr. Sheerin has received Top Doctor honors in multiple years.

Dr. David D. Tanner practices at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s Buckhead and Johns Creek offices. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia, Dr. Tanner received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University. He completed his internship and residency at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, an affiliate of Washington University. Dr. Tanner became the chief resident of St. Louis Children’s Hospital while completing a fellowship in ambulatory pediatrics. He completed another fellowship in allergy, asthma, and immunology at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Tanner is certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology and the American Board of Pediatrics. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Dr. Tanner has appeared on the Top Doctors list since its inception.

Dr. John A. Zora has been practicing at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s Alpharetta and Lawrenceville offices for more than 30 years. While earning his medical degree from Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Zora received research awards from the university and the American Heart Association for his work in cardiovascular physiology. Dr. Zora is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Allergy & Immunology. He has served as president of the Allergy & Immunology Society of Georgia. Dr. Zora has published numerous articles and is considered a top allergist in Atlanta. Dr. Zora has received the Top Doctor award in multiple years.

Dr. David W. Carlton, who practices at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s Rome office, earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. He then practiced as a staff internist at the Naval Hospital in Pensacola, Florida for three years before completing his fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at the Wilford Hall Medical Center on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He returned to the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he served as chief of allergy and immunology for two years. He left the U.S. Navy after 10 years of service, including a deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dr. Carlton is board certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Physicians. Dr. Carlton has a special interest in the medical management of sinusitis and treatment of venom hypersensitivity.