On May 15, 2023, President Joe Biden announced his intention to appoint Dr. Monica Bertagnolli as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world’s leading biomedical research organization. Upon Senate confirmation, Bertagnolli will lead the nation’s medical research agency, overseeing 27 research institutes and centers focused on different areas of medical research, such as cancer and the human genome, as well as allergies and infectious diseases.
Bertagnolli’s nomination to the NIH is crucial because of her unparalleled dedication to advancing scientific breakthroughs and improving cancer prevention and treatment. In her career, she has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of care available to patients in all communities. Her experience and passion make her the ideal candidate to lead the National Institute of Health, using her platform to expand the efforts made to date in scientific research, fighting cancer and creating more opportunities for our communities to be at the forefront of the latest advances and treatments for cancer and other chronic diseases.
In addition, Dr. Bertagnolli’s personal connection to communities of people with disabilities provides a unique perspective to her leadership. Her commitment to creating an inclusive society in which all can participate fully coincides with NIH’s mission to improve the health of the citizens of the United States. By advocating for accessibility and equity in health care and scientific research, she ensures that advances benefit all people, regardless of background, race, gender and sexual orientation.
Dr. Bertagnolli’s résumé and track record speak for themselves. She has been at the forefront of clinical and research oncology and has championed collaborative initiatives to transform data infrastructure and clinical research for the benefit of patients. She is the first woman to serve as Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and previously held positions at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, past president and chair of the board of trustees of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and has served on the board of directors of the American Cancer Society and the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
This appointment advances President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, which aims to cut the rate of cancer deaths in half by 2047 and which Dr. Bertagnolli has been leading so far. The leadership that characterizes her career as a world-class physician-scientist promises to fulfill the mission of the NIH: to provide access to health care for all.
NHCOA applauds this nomination and hopes that under her leadership, Dr. Monica Bertagnolli creates a better environment and a specialized approach to health for underserved and overlooked communities such as people of color, people with disabilities and our aging communities.
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