It was my pleasure to interact with several members of the White House COVID-19 Response Team during their recent visit to NIH. While on our Bethesda campus, team members met with select researchers and leadership from the NIH Vaccine Research Center and the NIH Clinical Center. This photo shows Ashish Jha (r), the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, while addressing staff during a meeting in the NIH Clinical Center. Tara Schwetz (l), NIH’s acting principal deputy director, is seated next to me. The visit took place on the afternoon of March 23. Credit: NIH
It was my pleasure to take part in Research! America’s 2023 Advocacy Awards event at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. on March 15. Each year, Research! America honors individuals and organizations whose leadership has advanced the nation’s commitment to medical, health, and scientific research.
What an honor it was for me to receive the 2023 John C. Porter Legacy Award. The award, which honors the late U.S. Congressman from Illinois who was strong advocate for biomedical research, is presented annually to a person who shows an outstanding commitment to sustain the nation’s world-class leadership in medical and health research. I’m humbled to be the award’s fifth recipient.
While there, I took part in a panel discussion titled Trust in Science. It explored the public’s perception of research and efforts to bolster trust in science. In this photo, you can see (l – r) the panel moderator Donna Shalala, the esteemed American academic, politician, and government administrator; Noubar Afeyan, founder and CEO, Flagship Pioneering, Cambridge, MA; Pamela Davis, Center for Community Health Integration, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH; Michael Friedlander, vice president, Health Sciences and Technology, Virginia Tech and executive director, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA.; Heywood Fralin, chairman, Retirement Unlimited, Inc., Richmond, VA; followed by me, Larry Tabak; Lori Rose Benson, executive director and CEO, Hip Hop Public Health, New York, NY; and Olajide Williams, founder, Hip Hop Public Health. Credit: Research! America
It was an honor to take part last week in a special NIH program to bid Dr. Anthony Fauci farewell and wish him the very best as he prepares to step down this month as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). During this two-hour program, Tony reflected on his 54-year career of public service, advising seven U.S. presidents, and following the science through several major infectious disease outbreaks, from HIV to Ebola to COVID-19. In my brief introductory remarks, I stated that Tony has been a constant source of knowledge and inspiration for me and other NIH leaders. No send-off could adequately express our gratitude. This photo shows me offering my congratulations immediately after Tony finished addressing those in attendance. The live program was held on December 16 in NIH’s Wilson Hall and was also available for NIH staff to attend in real-time via videocast. Credit: NIH
I enjoyed taking part recently in a one-hour panel discussion titled Defining Moments in Health: Leading Through Turbulent Times. The event brought together five leaders from the health-care sector to discuss the question: How do you lead through moments of great uncertainty? This photo shows me addressing panelist Bruce Broussard (right), president and CEO, Humana, Louisville, KY. Looking on is panel moderator Bertha Coombs (left), a reporter with CNBC. The discussion took place on December 7 during the three-day 2022 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit at the Salamander Hotel, Washington, D.C. Credit: Milken Institute.
It’s always a good idea in the fall to get a flu shot, and I recently got mine. If you still need a flu shot and have questions about where in your community to get one, I’ve got some help for you. Stay healthy this winter, get a flu shot! Credit: NIH
