About Us

Why Choose Us

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3-year Pediatric or Adult Internal Medicine Residency Training

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Certification in Pediatrics or Adult Internal Medicine

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Minimum of 2 years of Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Training

ABAI-certified allergists and “board certification in allergy” are not the same.

Allergic and immunologic diseases often affect more than the ears, nose, and throat. Allergists and clinical immunologists certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology diagnose and treat the full spectrum of allergic and immunologic diseases.

As ABAI-certified providers, we have the most comprehensive and evidence based allergy and immunology-specific training to diagnose and manage your allergy and immune concerns… all of them. ABAI-accredited fellowship training emphasizes the evidence-based diagnosis and management of allergic and immunologic issues.

Allergic issues such as allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, recurrent bronchitis, eczema, food allergies, contact dermatitis, etc., and immune problems often do not occur alone. Therefore, focusing only on a patient’s allergic nasal or sinus symptoms often results in improper diagnosis or mismanagement of other allergic or immune problems.

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Meet the Doctors

Bina Joseph, MD

Dr. Bina Joseph has been practicing in Lafayette, Louisiana since 1995. In addition to her multiple board certifications, she has published numerous articles in nationally recognized journals, and has been a speaker at many conferences on subjects related to her field.

Education
  • Medical School | Kasturba Medical College | 1988
  • Pediatrics Residency | Loyola University, Illinois | 1989-1990
  • Pediatrics Internship | Wayne/Oakland Child and Adolescent, Michigan | 1990-1992
  • Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Fellowship | University of Wisconsin | 1993-1995
Licensure & Board Certifications
  • American Board of Allergy and Immunology
  • Louisiana State Medical License
Professional Organizations
  • American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
  • American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

Andrew Collins, MD

Andrew D. Collins, MD is a Lafayette native specializing in adult and pediatric allergy and immunology. After graduating from Our Lady of Fatima and Saint Thomas More in Lafayette, he attended LSU, majoring in biological sciences and minoring in philosophy. Dr. Collins earned an MS in cell and molecular biology from Tulane University before graduating from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans in 2010.

Dr. Collins then completed his three-year pediatric residency at Duke University Hospital in 2013 and his two-year allergy and immunology fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis in 2015. He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI).

In addition, Dr. Collins is a dedicated husband and father to his wife, Lindsey, and their three children. Dr. Collins savors quality time spent with his family and hobbies alike, enjoying the game of chess, strumming on guitar strings, or improving his golf swing. Dr. Collins is an avid supporter of the LSU Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals.

Education
  • BS in Biological Sciences and Minor in Philosophy | Louisiana State University | 2001 – 2005
  • MS in Cell and Molecular Biology | Tulane University | 2005 – 2006
  • Medical School | Louisiana State University School of Medicine New Orleans | 2006 – 2010
  • Pediatrics Residency | Duke University Hospital | 2010-2013
  • Allergy and Immunology Fellowship | Washington University School of Medicine | 2013 – 2015
Licensure & Board Certifications
  • American Board of Allergy and Immunology
  • Louisiana State Medical License
Professional Organizations
  • American Academy of Allergy Asthma, and Immunology
  • American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
  • American Contact Dermatitis Society

Alexandra Chastant, MD

Alexandra Joseph Chastant, MD was born and raised in Lafayette, LA. She received a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Dr. Chastant attended medical school in New Orleans, LA at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. She then moved down the street to Tulane University School of Medicine where she completed Internal Medicine Residency and fellowship in Allergy and Immunology. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and is a diplomat of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

Dr. Chastant is excited to finally return home and serve the wonderful community of Lafayette. She specializes in adult and pediatric allergy and immunology and her favorite condition to evaluate and treat is food allergy. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants. She loves spending time with her husband and her two precious little girls.

Education
  • BS in Kinesiology and Minor in Biological Sciences | Louisiana State University | 2009-2013
  • Medical School | Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans | 2014-2018
  • Internal Medicine Residency | Tulane University | 2018-2021
  • Allergy and Immunology Fellowship | Tulane University | 2021-2023
Licensure & Board Certifications
  • American Board of Internal Medicine
  • American Board of Allergy and Immunology
  • Louisiana State Medical License
Professional Organizations
  • American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
  • American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

History of Our Practice

Dr. Bernard Fruge founded Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center of SWLA in September 1989. Dr. Fruge is a native of Eunice, LA. After graduating from LSU medical school and finishing his internal medicine and pediatrics residency, Dr. Fruge completed his allergy and immunology fellowship at Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. After practicing briefly in Atlanta, he decided to move his family and practice back home in Louisiana. Dr. Fruge opened his satellite clinic location in affiliation with The Children’s Clinic in Lake Charles in December 1990. Dr. Bina Joseph joined AAICSWLA in October 1995, followed by Dr. Andrew Collins joining in November 2016. Dr. Alexandra Chastant joined the clinic in January 2024.

After thirty-four years of caring for patients throughout Acadiana, Dr. Fruge retired in March of 2023. Dr. Fruge can now spend more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He looks forward to traveling much more, especially to California and North Carolina.