Next DDM Seminar Features Conger

The next Deputy Director for Management Seminar will feature Jay Conger on Thursday, Feb. 8 in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10 from 11 a.m. to noon. Conger is the Henry Kravis research professor of leadership studies at Claremont McKenna College. He has written or co-written more than 90 articles and 11 books and has two new books in progress that focus on best practices in leadership.

The DDM seminar series, “Management and Science: Partnering for Excellence,” was launched last November with national bestselling author Dr. Robert Kriegel’s presentation, “Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers: Creating a Change-Ready Organization.” He spoke about challenging the status quo and creating change rather than reacting to it. He encouraged the 300 attendees to go on sacred-cow hunts and eliminate processes, systems and positions that are slowing things down and preventing things from running faster, smoother and better.

The DDM series is open to all NIH employees and there is no need to pre-register. For those who cannot attend or if Masur Auditorium reaches capacity, Conger’s presentation will be available via NIH videocasting.

Sign language will be provided. More information about the series, including future speaker biographies, can be found at http://www. ddmseries.od.nih.gov/. Call the Office of Management at (301) 496-3271 if you have questions.

FAES Presents Chamber Music Series Concert

On Sunday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m., FAES will present Viviane Hagner and Tatiana Goncharova, violin and piano, in a Chamber Music Series concert at Congregation Beth-El (within walking distance of the NIH campus). Tickets are $12 for students/fellows and $28 regular. For more information call (301) 496-7976 or visit www.faes.org.

STEP Forum on Animal Models

The staff training in extramural programs (STEP) committee will present a Science for All forum on the topic, “Animal Models: Behaving Like Humans…Or Like Animals?” on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Neurosciences Center, Rms. C and D.

In the past two decades, a number of clever assays have been designed to measure changes in behavior and cognition in animal models of human conditions such as addiction, depression and dementia. What are these assays and what are their limits? How are they validated? How closely do they really mimic human biology and behavior? This forum will explore the latest research in this field.

AORN President Visits Clinical Center

“Celebrating Our Perioperative Practice” is the new mantra of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), according to its 2006 president, Paula Graling, who recently visited the Clinical Center. AORN supports registered nurses in achieving optimal outcomes for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures. While here, Graling spoke with operating room nurses, surgical technologists and health technicians during weekly in-service. It was the first time that a sitting AORN president visited nurses in the Clinical Center’s department of anesthesia and surgical services (DASS).

Graling emphasized preserving the profession’s future, promoting its practice and protecting patients. She also caught up with several of her past students who were recruited by the department. The visit included a DASS tour by Graling’s former colleague Barbara Gallagher and a welcome by Dr. Zena Quezado, DASS chief.

Work/Life Center Hosts Camp-Planning Events

The NIH Work/Life Center and the ORS Division of Employee Services will host Camp Week to help NIH parents plan summer care for their children. Now is the time to start searching for camps and other activities. Attend a camp event to pick up a guide and samples of brochures. Camp vendors will not be present, but a child care referral specialist and NIH staff will be available to help from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at the Rockledge I cafeteria and Wednesday, Jan. 31 in Bldg. 38’s lower lobby. Unable to attend the event? Call the Work/Life Center at (301) 435-1618 for a copy of the Summer Guide or call the Resource & Referral Service at 1-800-777-1720 for assistance in finding care options. All services are free of charge to NIH employees.

For those who need reasonable accommodation to participate, call (301) 435-1619, or the Federal Relay, 1-800-735-2258.

NIH Celebrates National Mentoring Month

Mentoring is essential to the success of the NIH OD intern programs: Emerging Leaders, Management Internship, Presidential Management Fellows and STRIDE. Mentors serve as valuable sources of information and advice. They help interns understand the federal government, NIH and individual programs. In the intern programs, mentors are assigned within the first 90 days. The mentor/mentee relationship is personal and can contribute greatly to the intern’s success. The mentor/mentee relationships last 2 or 3 years, depending on length of the intern program. Mentors are always needed.

Characteristics of an ideal mentor include aptitude for teaching and desire to help; managerial experience, technical skills and organizational/cultural savvy; strong interpersonal and communication skills; high energy level; positive outlook and sense of humor; and availability of time for regular and ad hoc meetings.

Responsibilities include assistance in locating and selecting rotational assignments; general counseling on any concerns the mentee may have; providing feedback about strengths and needs; and help in preparing career development plans.

Mentors commit to serve the length of the program (2 or 3 years). They meet with the mentee two times per month, for at least an hour each time, and attend training sessions.

If you are interested in being a mentor, contact Judith Phillips of the NIH Training Center, (301) 451-7301, phillipsju@od.nih.gov.