Office of Communications and Legislative Activities (OCLA)

The Office of Communications and Legislative Activities (OCLA) at the NHLBI provides comprehensive, integrated, and technology-supported communications capability for all matters relating to the communication of the NHLBI’s vision, strategic plan, and program activities and accomplishments to internal and external audiences.

OCLA manages the Institute’s efforts to interpret and disseminate the goals and results of NHLBI research programs and projects to the biomedical community, Congress, the media, constituents and other specialized groups, physicians and healthcare providers and the general public, at the national and international level; serves as the liaison and point of contact for all legislative matters; coordinates responses to all NHLBI-directed media inquiries; writes news releases and statements directed to the media, including requests for information and records submitted under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) programs; writes content for and produces pamphlets, fact sheets and Web-based information materials for the public; manages the NHLBI Web site as tool in communications efforts; and utilizes and integrates new communication technologies.  OCLA comprises three Branches: Public Affairs Branch, Health Campaigns and Consumer Services Branch, and Freedom of Information and Privacy Branch.

For additional information, contact:

Office of Communications and Legislative Activities
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
ATTN: Web Site Inquiries
Building 31A, Room 4A31
Bethesda, MD  20892

Phone numbers are available in the Abbreviated Staff Directory.