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IC Directors' Meeting Highlights

November 7, 2005

Discussion Items

I. Title 42 Recruitment and Retention

Ms. Barros explained that in order to ensure greater uniformity across agencies, HHS issued Instruction 42-1, “Appointment of 42 USC 209 (f) Scientists,” in the fall of 2004 that contains the following requirements:

• Appointments under 42 USC 209(f) will only be made when documented recruitment and retention efforts under other systems, including Title 5, Commissioned Corps, and the SBRS have failed to yield candidates with critical scientific expertise.
• Conversions from other pay systems to Title 42(f) should occur only under exceptional circumstances, and only when a scientist has been appropriately peer reviewed and determined to meet a set of specified criteria.
• Performance-based annual pay increases for scientists under Title 42(f) will normally be limited to a maximum of 6 percent, although OPDIV heads may authorize higher increases where performance clearly warrants. All pay increases must be fully justified and documented. Authority for OPDIV heads to grant annual across-the-board comparability increases has been eliminated.

She then brought the group up to date on the committee that Dr. Zerhouni established to consider issues related to the implementation of the Department’s policy. The principal goal of this committee, composed of representatives from the NIH intramural, extramural, senior administrative, and human resources communities, is to bring NIH into compliance with HHS requirements, while at the same time preserving maximum flexibility in NIH usage of this very valuable appointing authority.

II. Update from Surgeon General

Dr. Carmona first thanked NIH senior leadership, saying that NIH cooperation with the Office of the Surgeon General has been indispensable. He then updated the group on important education efforts he has undertaken related to prevention, terrorism, and health disparities.

He personally thanked a number of IC Directors and OD Senior Staff members for their support and advice on specific issues during his tenure. And he ended his presentation by recognizing Dr. Zerhouni as a “great communicator.”

A question and answer session followed with many attendees offering ideas for continued cooperation and joint efforts.

Scientific Presentation

III. The Hereditary Basis for Communication Disorders

Dr. Battey first remarked that mouse and zebra fish models are indispensable research tools in addressing the compelling public health problems involving communication disorders. He specifically thanked those in the NIH community who are working on and providing such models.

He then presented recent findings and ongoing groundbreaking research on several communication disorders. First he reported the latest on Usher Syndrome, the three phenotypes of which are genetically distinct. He also discussed genetic research in noise-induced hearing loss and stuttering. Much of this research relies on trans-NIH efforts and cooperation as well as international efforts.

A lively and exciting discussion followed the presentation and revealed the many NIH components involved in these areas.

Dale Johnson

cc:
OD Senior Staff

This page was last reviewed on September 21, 2006 .

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