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Children’s Inn

Meeting with Congressional Cancer Survivors Caucus

Posted on by Dr. Francis Collins

Congressional Cancer Survivors Causus
On July 18, 2019, I had the pleasure to meet with some of the esteemed members of the Congressional Cancer Survivors Caucus during their visit to NIH. Here, I paused for a photo with (l-r) Congressman Earl “Buddy” Carter of Georgia, caucus co-chair; Jennie Lucca, chief executive officer of The Children’s Inn at NIH; Laura King, senior director of community engagement at The Children’s Inn; and Congressman Mark DeSaulner of California, a caucus co-founder and a leukemia survivor. The Congressional Cancer Survivors Caucus is a bipartisan group for members of Congress to discuss issues related to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship with a variety of stakeholders and experts. Credit: NIH.

NIH Family Members Giving Back: Diane Baker

Posted on by Dr. Francis Collins

In the kitchen of The Children's Inn

Caption: My wife Diane inspired me and my staff to volunteer to make dinner for patients and their families at The Children’s Inn at NIH.
Credit: NIH Record

My blog usually celebrates biomedical advances made possible by NIH-supported research. But every August, I like to try something different and highlight an aspect of the scientific world that might not make headlines. This year, I’d like to take a moment to pay tribute to just a few of the many NIH family members around the country who, without pay or fanfare, freely give of themselves to make a difference in their communities.

I’d like to start by recognizing my wife Diane Baker, a genetic counselor who has always found time during her busy career to volunteer. When I was first being considered as NIH director, we had lots of kitchen table discussions about what it might mean for us as a couple. We decided to approach the position as a partnership. Diane immediately embraced the NIH community and, true to her giving spirit, now contributes to some wonderful charities that lend a welcome hand to patients and their loved ones who come to the NIH Clinical Center here in Bethesda, MD.