The Senate voted 62-36 on November 7 to confirm Monica Bertagnolli, MD, as director of the National Institutes of Health. A total of 13 Republicans joined nearly every Democrat and two Independents in voting to approve the nomination, which the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee had advanced two weeks earlier. Dr. Bertagnolli, who officially took office on November 9, will be the 17th person, second woman, and first surgeon to hold the position. “As a physician-scientist for more than 30 years, I have seen the transformative power of NIH research to produce results that save lives, including my own treatment for breast cancer. As NIH director, I look forward to ensuring that NIH continues to be the steward of our nation’s medical research while engaging all people and communities in the research effort that includes informing medical practice that drives equitable access to health care for all,” said Dr. Bertagnolli. |