Welcome to News and Notes, our online journal of selected articles related to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEODM) celebrations, events, and topics of interest to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) community.

NIH Leadership Committed to EEO

Dr. Elias Zerhouni became the Director of the National Institutes of Health in May 2002.  Since assuming that position, he has demonstrated a fervent commitment to EEO and diversity.  Dr. Zerhouni often shares that, as an immigrant, he can truly appreciate the greatness of the United States of America, a country in which all peoples-whether rich or poor, great or small-have the opportunity to achieve excellence. He came to the United States at age 24 from Algeria. Dr. Zerhouni came to the NIH from Johns Hopkins with a reputation as a successful administrator, entrepreneur, basic scientist, and clinician. He is credited with having "led efforts at Hopkins to restructure the school of medicine's Clinical Practice Association; developed a comprehensive strategic plan for research; helped reorganize the school's academic leadership; and worked with elected officials to plan a major biotechnology research park and urban revitalization project near the Hopkins medical campus.[Dr.] Zerhouni is known as an innovator with a knack for identifying major trends within complex situations, defining vision and building consensus for action." 

In 2003, when NIH won a Diversity Best Practices CEO Leadership Award, the award presenter noted that, "[Dr. Zerhouni's] leadership.serves as a model not only for other government agencies and organizations, but also for the corporate, for-profit sector as well." During Dr. Zerhouni's tenure at the NIH, he has proven himself to be a champion for creating an inclusive, respectful, and diverse organization culture. He is committed to ensuring that all NIH employees are respected for the diversity they bring to the workplace and the scientific process. This commitment is best summed up in the following statement, "We need to continue to train, recruit and retain the best talent in biomedical research because, in the final analysis, it is always the creative spark of the unique individual that leads to new knowledge and real progress, wherever that individual comes from."

As a leader, Dr. Zerhouni's management style is open and interactive.  Through his series of "town hall" meetings, he has instituted a forum whereby NIH employees and managers can share their challenges and successes, while receiving honest answers to their pressing employment concerns.  Dr. Zerhouni believes that, as the NIH Director, his effectiveness, and that of the organization he serves, depends upon his being in touch with all NIH employees. From this belief comes his motto: "Communicate, communicate, communicate."

In February 2003, Dr. Raynard S. Kington was appointed Deputy Director, NIH.  He came to NIH from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As Director of the Division of Health Examination Statistics in the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, he led the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a comprehensive, ongoing survey of the health status, health behaviors, and diet of people in the United States.

Dr. Kington served as NIH Associate Director for Behavioral and Social Sciences. He also served as the Acting Director for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Whether addressing the Native American Heritage Program or a Scientific Symposium, his commitment to EEO and diversity is clear.  When Raynard Kington speaks, everybody listens. For he skillfully presents the technical aspects of science in a way that draws in his listeners and makes them want to join in repairing the situation.

At the NIH 2005 African American History Program, Dr. Kington discussed Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, who penned a popular manuscript on "the value of agitation." Dr, Kington likened the mission of NIH to agitation. "What we do here at NIH could be called agitation." We were all urged to agitate for a better tomorrow.

Message from the Director

Lawrence N. Self

I have served as the Director of the NIH Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEODM) since August 2002.  Although my EEO career has spanned more than two decades in several federal agencies, I would be hard pressed to name many agencies in which the commitment to EEO and diversity from both the leadership and employees parallels that exhibited here at the NIH.  The NIH senior leadership not only "talks the talk;" they also "walk the walk."  Their continuous dedication and commitment to EEO and Diversity are exemplified through their support of the Management Directive 715, their determination to eliminate health disparities in all populations, and their ensuring that the NIH EEO Program has the fiscal resources and talented staff required to get the job done.

The "new" OEODM recently passed the six-month mark of our one-year restructuring efforts.  Upon assessing our accomplishments during this monumental undertaking--a period that could have been fraught with upheaval and dismal failure--I am pleased at our positive outcome.  Today, the OEODM can boast that we have identified our new mission and vision, minimized duplication of program activities while maximizing efficiency in the delivery of first-class customer service, eliminated costly and nonessential activities, and strengthened our collaborative base throughout the NIH.  

I believe that effective communication is the key to the type of work we do in the OEODM.  It is vital that all employees, either who currently are a part of the OEODM, or who will join later, recognize its value.  Thanks to the support of NIH senior leadership, the NIH now has a model EEO program.  As we face new challenges, NIH employees should be confident in leadership that cares.

Celebrate the World of Work with Your Child

This event introduced children to the vital roles that their parents play in the NIH workforce and exposed them to careers they might pursue in life. The NIH Institutes and Centers hosted educational and fun activities designed to introduce children between the ages of 8 - 15 to the world of biomedical research. Approximately 1,500 children participated. This year's event was a great success!

Gary Morin, NIH, OEODM Program Analyst and Chairman of the 2005 Bring Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Gary provides consultation and advice on policy and regulations relating to Section 504.

Sandra King, NIH, OEODM, ICSD, EEO Assistant and Co-Chair of the 2005 Bring Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

OEODM Staff Sponsors of the 2005 Bring Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Front Row Left to Right: Sandra King; Mattie Richburg; and Bianca Duggins. Back Row Left to Right : Aurelio Vasquez; Gary Morin; Tina Lancaster; and, Robert Mirando-Acevedo.

WE ARE IN TOUCH

We welcome your ideas and comments about how we may make our EEO News & Notes better.  Please forward your input to Jayne E. Callahanhenson, Managing Editor, The Write Team, Institutes and Centers Services Division, OEODM.  Ms. Callahanhenson can be reached by telephone on 301-496-7478.