Dr. Yvonne Maddox

What is your field/occupation?

I am Deputy Director for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and my field is cardiovascular physiology and maternal and child health.

How long have you worked in your field?

I have been in my field for 27 years.

How long have you worked for NIH?

I have been working at NIH 22 years.

Prior to the NIH, where did you work? What initially attracted you to the NIH?

At the Georgetown University Medical Center. I was initially attracted to a new Congressional program in trauma and burn injury that needed a Program Officer. This position required someone who was knowledgeable about vascular mediators of injury and I had that background.

Was there a defining moment that sparked your interest in your field?

I wanted to have a career in medicine since I was in elementary school and when my father was stricken early in his life with congestive heart failure, I decided that medical research would help me better understand his condition and perhaps help others who might be fraught with such a debilitating and life threatening condition.

What has been your most enlightening/memorable experience at the NIH that may not have been possible anywhere else?

Walking through the hallowed walls of such a prestigious institution and seeing the pictures of the many Nobel laureates and Lasker Award winners and being in the presence of some of the brightest scientists and researchers in the world, I came to the realization that the opportunity was here for me to become a scientific leader.

How would you describe your colleagues?

Dedicated and committed to their work, loyal to the mission of the National Institutes of Health, part of a community of the finest public servants, and I view many of them as endearing members of my family.

What makes working at the NIH worthwhile for you?

NIH is known throughout the world as a national treasure and the most prestigious medical research organization. There is great opportunity here for professional and academic growth. For me, my promotion potential was clearly explained when I first arrived and I was able to seize every opportunity for career advancement that was presented to me. Building outstanding leaders is at the forefront of the NIH mission. I enjoy the independence of my position, which allows me to shape medical research, make funding decisions and manage and supervise a diverse cadre of scientists, administrators, and support staff. NIH is a wonderful melting pot of research ideas, interests, and cultures. Working here is a learning experience.