Genetic Alliance Commends the Nomination of Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD as New NIH Director

WASHINGTON – July 8, 2009 – Today, Genetic Alliance, a nonprofit health advocacy organization, applauds the nomination of Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D., as the new director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). President Obama announced the nomination moments ago.

“This is a critical time for the science associated with health,” said Sharon Terry, president and chief executive officer of Genetic Alliance. “We must focus the incredible resources, discovery and intelligence of the NIH on systemic solutions. We have a phenomenal palette from which to paint, and now we need to start creating masterpieces. Dr. Collins is the right ‘artist’ for this task.”

Dr. Collins, former director of National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), led the Institute and an international team to sequence the human genome. As NHGRI director, he made great strides in putting that information to work by creating many teams and projects that not only elucidated the meaning of the raw data, but also transformed systems and paradigms associated with biomedical research. Throughout all of this, Collins kept individuals, families and communities central to the work, focusing on their needs as the driver for scientific discovery.

“I am thrilled that Dr. Collins is nominated as the new leader for NIH,” said Kemp Battle, Genetic Alliance Council member and treasurer. “He will bring vision, grace and tenacity to the position. He knows how to optimize resources, discovery, and the development of diagnostics and therapeutics and will promote open collaboration amongst and between federal agencies, industry, academic and nonprofits. Dr. Collins is the right man at a crossroad moment in our country’s health.”

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About Genetic Alliance
Genetic Alliance transforms health through genetics, promoting an environment of openness centered on the health of individuals, families, and communities. Genetic Alliance brings together diverse stakeholders that create novel partnerships in advocacy; integrates individual, family, and community perspectives to improve health systems; and revolutionizes access to information to enable translation of research into services and individualized decision making. For more information about Genetic Alliance, visit http://www.geneticalliance.org.