OHCPL Scores Three Plain Language Awards

A feature story and two publications produced by staff of NIDCD’s Office of Health Communication and Public Liaison were recognized in several categories of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) Plain Language Awards. The annual competition is part of the federal government’s effort to ensure that all forms of communication for the public are written in clear, concise, and understandable language. Award-winning health journalist and columnist Rita Rubin of USA Today was the guest speaker at this year’s event, Celebrating Plain Language at NIH, which took place April 17 at the Lipsett Amphitheater on the NIH campus.

Awards were given to the following:

In the Excellent category, the article Tanzanian ‘Children of the Moon’ Bring Rare Brand of Sunshine to NIH, which appeared in the NIH Record on December 2, 2005, tells the story of two young Tanzanian boys with a rare genetic disease, and the collaboration among six NIH institutes to provide them with clinical treatment. The award was presented to Jennifer Wenger.

Also, in the Excellent category, the NIDCD Tip Sheets for Press Kit were developed for distribution to health editors of women’s magazines to inform them of NIDCD research related to women’s health, particularly the prevention and early detection of noise-induced hearing loss. The award was given to OHCPL chief Patricia Blessing, Jennifer Wenger, and Mary Sullivan.

In the Honorable Mention category, the NIDCD 2006-2007 Resources Directory features up-to-date information on nearly 150 nonprofit and federal organizations committed to improving the lives of people with communication disorders. The award was given to OHCPL’s Patricia Blessing, Lonnie Lisle, Mary Sullivan, and Jennifer Wenger and to Charlotte Ball of the NIDCD Information Clearinghouse.