He served for more than 38 years in federal government, including as deputy director for management and chief financial officer at NIH from 1996 to 2001. He also had senior positions with HHS and the Department of Interior, among other agencies, and was credited with establishing administrative and budgetary processes that continue to aid their effective functioning.

Dr. Ruth Kirschstein, acting director of NCCAM, notes that Itteilag was “always looking for and finding a way to get things accomplished that were essential but difficult to do, and he always succeeded. He was a close ally and a very good friend.”

At NIH, he led efforts to develop a formal information management policy and established the Center for Information Technology. His leadership also led NIH to receive “clean audit opinions” in 1999 and 2000. As deputy assistant secretary for health from 1991 to 1995, Itteilag oversaw the management and budget of the Public Health Service. Some of the improvements he put into practice while serving as deputy assistant secretary for budget at HHS, from 1980 to 1984, remain in effect. He overhauled the organizational structure and enhanced the way the budget was prepared and presented, allowing policy officials to better advocate for their proposals.

After retiring in 2002, he continued to serve NIH as a senior consultant with CPS Human Resource Services, providing guidance to NIAID’s Office of Clinical Research on budget and facilities development matters and participating in a management study of NIAID’s administrative services.

Itteilag received the Presidential Rank Award in 1983. He received numerous other awards as well, including a second Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Senior Executives in 1992 and the Clifford R. Gross Award for Federal Public Service of the American Society for Public Administration in 2001.

While his professional contributions were many, he also contributed to the development of many of his colleagues by modeling ideal attributes of a public health servant. “I had the privilege of calling Tony my first boss at NIH,” recalls Anita Linde, now director of the NIAMS Office of Science Policy and Planning. “Tony was a wonderful mentor and role model. Tony taught me the concept and practice of ‘servant leadership.’ I had many opportunities to see Tony put the NIH’s institutional interests ahead of his own individual beliefs or biases—this proved to be a very powerful example, especially for someone who was new to public service.”

Colleen Barros, NIH deputy director for management and chief financial officer, remembers Itteilag’s “wonderful breadth of experience [that he brought] to the NIH, garnered through service at many levels in the department and elsewhere in government. He was widely respected for his insight and ability to find common ground in resolving difficult or contentious problems, and he conducted himself with great kindness towards others and respect for their viewpoints. He will be sorely missed.”

Itteilag was born in Westerly, R.I., and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Rhode Island. He is survived by his wife, Nadine Markham-Itteilag of Silver Spring; three children from his first marriage, Laurie Itteilag-Sturgill of Hagerstown, Md., Tracy Hoffman of Columbus, Ohio, and Kristin Coleman of Baltimore; three children from his second marriage, Amelia Itteilag, Zachary Itteilag and Amber Itteilag, all of Silver Spring; a brother; and two grandchildren.

“Dr. Meissner brings a wealth of experience and expertise in social and population approaches to health promotion and disease prevention,” said OBSSR director Dr. David Abrams. “Her knowledge of the complex factors that influence health will be critical to achieving our vision of addressing the most pressing public health issues and improving our nation’s health and well being.”

Meissner served as chief of NCI’s Applied Cancer Screening Research Branch since 2000. She provided scientific leadership in support of social, behavioral and communications research to promote the use of effective cancer screening tests in both community and clinical practice.

Meissner’s research interests include social, socioeconomic and environmental influences on health care delivery, development of methods and refinement of measures to improve evaluation of interventions and eliminate health disparities. She has served on many NIH, scientific and professional organization committees including the NCI extramural advisory board and the American Association for Cancer Research task force on behavioral science. She has been recognized with four NIH Merit Awards, a Public Health Service Special Recognition Award and an HHS Special Service Award.

Prior to joining NCI in 1988, Meissner worked at the American Public Health Association, providing technical assistance to state and local health departments. She received both her Sc.M. in public health education and her Ph.D. in social and behavioral sciences from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.

  “Dr. Greene is an experienced administrator, manager and supervisor,” said NIDDK director Dr. Griffin Rodgers, who made the appointment. “Her extensive knowledge of federal management principles and practices, as well as her expertise in NIH policies and processes, makes her an ideal candidate and a great asset to the NIDDK.”

Greene has served as deputy executive officer at NIDDK since April 2006 and as acting EO since April 2007. Prior to joining NIDDK, she was deputy EO and associate director for administrative operations at the National Cancer Institute. She has 31 years of experience as an administrator in government.

“I am honored and excited to be a part of the NIDDK team and to have the chance to contribute to NIDDK’s future successes,” said Greene.

She earned a doctorate in planning and development studies from the University of Southern California, an M.A. in museum studies from George Washington University and a B.A. cum laude in Latin from Gettysburg College.

NIH retiree Belle Smith (c), flanked by daughter Bonnie Tuma (r) and granddaughter Amanda, began her family’s legacy of working at NIH.

“My family thought it may be neat to have us in the paper as three generations working for NIH,” wrote daughter Bonnie Tuma, recently.

Tuma began her career in various federal agencies after graduating from the University of Maryland in 1980. In 1990, she took time off to rear two children and in 2002 came to NIH as a clerk-typist in human resources. Now, she is a lead HR specialist in Branch E of OHR’s Client Services Division, serving the Clinical Center. This winter, Tuma will receive her master’s degree in HR management from UM’s University College.

Her daughter Amanda began working here in 2003, during summers as a high school student. The younger Tuma worked in OD’s Executive Office for 4 years, assisting with the OD Honor Awards Ceremony and emergency preparedness. She currently works in human resources, helping with acquisition of an OHR-wide courier service. Amanda will graduate this May from the University of Maryland.

Can any employees match or beat that? The Record wants to know of other multi-generational NIH families. Send a note with details and a photo, if possible, to crg@nih.gov.

Institute director Dr. Jeremy Berg selected Sally Lee for the position. She has been the institute’s deputy executive officer since December 2000 and its acting associate director for administration and operations since September 2006.

“Ms. Lee is a seasoned administrator who has the vision, personality and leadership skills needed to oversee the institute’s administrative functions, including financial management, information technology and management analysis,” said Berg. “Her extensive knowledge about NIGMS policies, programs and administrative operations will enable her to advise me and other senior officials on a wide range of management issues and their implications for NIGMS scientific programs.”

Lee joined NIGMS as an administrative technician in 1988 and became a management analyst in 1991. She participated in the Women’s Executive Leadership Program in 1997 and 1998, with rotational assignments in the NIH Office of Administrative Services and Resources and at the National Partnership for Reinventing Government.

“I’ve worked at NIGMS for 19 years. During that time, I’ve watched the institute evolve and had the opportunity to help shape it in some ways,” Lee said. “I look forward to continuing to play a role in the decision-making processes that impact the superb science we support.”

A strong advocate for enhancing the quality of work life for NIGMS employees, Lee has spearheaded development of telework and alternative work schedule programs. She has also played instrumental roles in workforce planning, promoting workplace diversity and developing staff in a teamwork environment.

Lee has served on several NIH committees, including the administrative training committee and its mentoring subcommittee, which she chaired. She was a founding member of the NIH management analyst working group. She currently serves as chair of the NIH focus group on telework.

Lee earned a B.A. in history from the University of Maryland. Her honors include the NIH Merit Award in 1994 and 2006.—Jilliene Mitchell