Claude Lenfant to Retire from National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Bethesda, Maryland — Claude Lenfant, M.D.,
Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI),
one of the Institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
has announced his impending retirement, effective August 30, 2003.
NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., said, "Claude Lenfant
is a talented and capable administrator, and a first-class scientist.
Under his leadership and guidance NHLBI supported and conducted
research that has benefited millions of people. His departure will
be a significant loss."
"Claude Lenfant has made a lasting impact on his institute
and on the health of Americans and people all over the world,"
said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "He has steered research
that has vastly increased our understanding of some of the most
important health conditions. Equally important, he has recognized
the importance of understandable health information and motivation
for the average person, in addition to top-notch science for the
professional. He deserves all our thanks."
The longest-serving director of the NHLBI, Dr. Lenfant assumed
his position in July of 1982. Previously, he was director of the
NIH Fogarty International Center (1981-1982) and director of the
NHLBI Division of Lung Diseases (1971-1980). Dr. Lenfant came to
the NIH from the University of Washington, Seattle, where he was
Professor of Medicine and Physiology and Biophysics.
During his tenure at the NHLBI, Dr. Lenfant oversaw development
and completion of major clinical trials that have had widespread
impact on the ways in which disease is treated and prevented. They
have addressed such diverse topics as therapies to interrupt the
course of heart attacks and life-threatening arrhythmias, pharmacologic
and lifestyle interventions to reduce blood pressure and serum cholesterol
levels, surgical approaches to improve lung function in severe emphysema,
and strategies to alleviate the recurrent pain of sickle cell disease.
In the area of basic science, Dr. Lenfant led the NHLBI into the
modern era with landmark initiatives such as the Programs of Excellence
in Molecular Biology, the Programs of Genomic Applications, and
the Proteomics Initiative — all of which brought cutting-edge,
multidisciplinary resources to bear on complex problems.
One of Dr. Lenfant's most tangible legacies has been programs of
professional, public, and patient education that have had national
visibility and impact. Under his stewardship, the NHLBI launched
its National Cholesterol Education Program, National Asthma Education
and Prevention Program, and National Heart Attack Alert Program,
as well as special initiatives focused on obesity, sleep disorders,
and women's heart health. All of these activities reflect his oft-repeated
belief that the goal of scientific research — improved health
for the public — should always be paramount.
Dr. Lenfant has been recognized, nationally and internationally,
for his exceptional leadership and achievements. His honors include
receipt of the American Medical Association's Dr. Nathan Davis Award,
the American Heart Association's Gold Heart Award, the Association
of Black Cardiologists' Legends of Cardiology Award, the American
Society of Hematology's Outstanding Service Award, and the National
Sleep Foundation's Person of the Year award. He has received honorary
doctorates from the State University of New York (Buffalo), Wake
Forest University, the Medical College of Ohio, the University of
Medona (Italy), and the University of Montpelier (France).
He was elected to fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians
(England), membership in the National Academy of Sciences' Institute
of Medicine, the USSR (now Russia) Academy of Medical Sciences,
and the French National Academy of Medicine; and honorary membership
in the Royal Society of Medicine (England), the French Cardiology
Society, and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He is
the author or co-author of 228 scientific publications, and executive
editor of 178 volumes for the series of monographs, "Lung Biology
in Health and Disease." On May 3, 2003, Dr. Lenfant delivered
the 113th Shattuck Lecture before the Annual Meeting
of the Massachusetts Medical Society, only the fifth NIH scientist
ever to be so honored.
Independent of his NIH position, Dr. Lenfant serves as president
of the World Hypertension League, which seeks to develop, disseminate,
and sustain internationally applicable methods and programs for
hypertension control. In his retirement, Dr. Lenfant intends to
expand his efforts to address the growing problem of chronic diseases
in the developing world.
NHLBI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the
Federal Government's primary agency for biomedical and behavioral
research. NIH is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. NHLBI press releases and other materials including
information about high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and
heart disease, are available online at the NHLBI
Web site (www.nhlbi.nih.gov).
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