IC Directors' Meeting Highlights
April 22, 2008
To:
From: Subject: IC
Directors
Kerry Brink, Assistant to the Deputy Director, NIH IC Directors’ Meeting Highlights – March 13, 2008 Discussion Items I. on Amendments to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Ms. Susan Cornell, Freedom of Information Officer and Chief FOIA Liaison, NIH Ms. Cornell presented the key provisions of the Open Government Act of 2007, which was signed on December 31, 2007. She explained that the law does not change the government's basic obligation under FOIA. Some of the key provisions of the Act include:
Ms. Cornell noted other miscellaneous provisions:
II. Clinical Research Center Retreat Update, Dr. Stephen Katz, Director, NIAMS Dr. Katz updated IC Directors on the projects and goals identified and defined at the July 12, 2007 IC Directors' Retreat on the Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center (CRC). The CRC houses inpatient units, day hospitals and research labs and connects to the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center, together forming the NIH Clinical Center. Dr. Katz presented the following developments and progress of the CRC: 1. Center for Human Immunology (CHI). Progress to Date:
2. Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Structure. Potential linkages and opportunities are being explored; however, the CTSA program is still in its initial stages. Dr. John Gallin, Director of the NIH Clinical Center, is engaged in many of the CTSA committee discussions. 3. Extramural Collaborations. The Advisory Board for Clinical Research (ABCR) is charged to identify models that have worked, seek and break down bureaucratic barriers to financing collaborations, and encourage more bench to bedside initiatives (extramural/intramural). 4. Rare and Difficult Diseases. The concept is for the CRC to serve patients with rare, undiagnosed diseases. The effort is being led by Dr. William Gahl (NHGRI) with support from the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD). The program will triage to existing clinics, plus use clinic time and space assigned by the Clinical Center. Highly qualified senior clinical consultants have agreed to participate. The following is planned:
5. "Manhattan-like" projects involving many ICs. Two initiatives have been embraced:
6. Recruitment and Retention. Goals are to increase recruitment and retention of clinical investigators and foster and reward team science through several initiatives and programs. Recent progress includes the establishment of the position of Assistant Clinical Investigator (3 year appointment with two one year renewals). Dr. Katz noted longer range issues include identifying infrastructure issues at the CRC that inhibit rapid translation of observations into clinical care for patients, and implementing informatics systems that will capture all aspects of patient encounters. He requested IC Directors to approve these initiatives, help identify funding to facilitate the activities, and determine leaders for further implementation. IC Directors offered their full support of the CRC initiatives and progress. III. NIH World AIDS Day Awardees, Dr. Jack Whitescarver, Director, Office of AIDS Research Dr. Whitescarver explained that the NIH World AIDS Day Award is to acknowledge the tremendous progress in understanding, preventing and treating HIV/AIDS, as a result of 25 years of AIDS research at NIH. The Office of AIDS Research (OAR) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) initiated this annual employee recognition award. The award includes a $5,000 prize and recognizes NIH scientists and managers who have made exceptional contributions to the AIDS research efforts at NIH—either for original scientific research or for programmatic support for research. Dr. Whitescarver announced the individuals selected for the 2007 honor:
Each of the World AIDS Day awardees made a presentation to the IC Directors on their research findings. Dr. Zerhouni commended the awardees as demonstrating the NIH commitment to supporting a multifaceted research effort in HIV/AIDS, and the research and development of new medical tools to prevent the devastating effects of the disease around the world. Dr. Zerhouni presented plaques to the World AIDS Day awardees, and the IC Directors warmly congratulated them on their achievements. Kerry Brink This page was last reviewed on
May 8, 2008
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