Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for your continued support of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) during this period of leadership transition. Since I became the acting director of NINR in October, I have had the privilege of getting to know many of the outstanding scientists from the NINR research community. Your work to improve the health and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities, and your dedication to your science is truly inspiring.   

I want to share with you some important news about leadership changes at NINR. Beginning on January 1, 2020, NIH Director Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, has asked me to serve as the acting director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) upon the retirement of NIDCR’s current director, Martha J. Somerman, DDS, PhD. At that time, Tara A. Schwetz, PhD, will become the acting director of NINR. Dr. Schwetz has done an outstanding job serving as NINR’s acting deputy director, and I know that under her leadership NINR will be well-served until a permanent NINR director is appointed. As you know, Dr. Schwetz also serves as the associate deputy director of NIH and brings a wealth of leadership experience to NINR.

In addition, Dr. Schwetz has asked Jessica M. Gill, PhD, RN, FAAN, to serve as the NINR acting deputy director. Many of you know Dr. Gill as an outstanding scientist and dedicated leader in NINR’s Division of Intramural Research. We are grateful to her for serving recently as the acting scientific director of NINR, and we thank Dr. Gill for her willingness to take on even greater responsibility. 

Thank you again for your support during my time as acting director and thank you for being a vital part of the NIH research community. I know that NINR has a bright future ahead, and I look forward to the continued success and outstanding achievements of NINR-supported scientists. 

Sincerely,
Lawrence A. Tabak, DDS, PhD
Principal Deputy Director, NIH

Source: https://www.ninr.nih.gov/aboutninr/directors-message?utm_campaign=tabak

FNINR was pleased to have Dr. Lawrence Tabak, Acting Director of NINR, speak at the 2019 NightinGala and introduce a video from Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health. You may view the video below.

 

On Tuesday, October 22, 2019, several members of the FNINR Board and Ambassdor program toured the facilities of the NINR and participated in a poster session covering current NINR research projects.

H.R. 728, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Act of 2019, was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on October 28, 2019. For more information, click here to read a press release from the Nursing Community Coalition.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has opened applications for their 2020-2021 Health Policy Fellows; the form will close on November 6, 2019 at 3 pm ET. To submit an application or read more, please visit https://www.healthpolicyfellows.org/apply/. 

A new NIH presentation video of Dr. Jean C. McSweeney's presentation “Matters of the Heart: A Research Journey Uncovering Signs of Heart Disease in Women" was published recently. The video can be viewed by clicking here.

Dr. Jean McSweeney is a professor and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas. She received her BSN from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, her MSN from The University of Texas at Arlington, and her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. She has served on the National Institute of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research Advisory Council. She is a Fellow in both the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Nursing.

The Senate Appropriations Committee released its draft 2020 spending bill on September 18, 2019. The bill included an increase of $9.425 million for NINR’s budget, up to $172.417 million. The Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research appreciates the support for NINR from the Senate Appropriations Committee and looks forward to the boost in research this would provide to organization.

Ann K. Cashion, PhD, RN, FAAN, will retire from federal service, effective September 30. Dr. Cashion has served as Acting Director for the past year, and as NINR Scientific Director since 2013. Read more on NINR website.

Please see below for upcoming NINR Events

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As part of the Nursing Community Coalition, FNINR signed on to a letter to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees urging them to include the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition amendment in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

To read the letter, click here.