National Institutes of Health (U.S.)

Brief biographies of selected NIH Directors: Rolla E. Dyer directed the National Institutes of Health from 1942 to 1950. Specializing in infectious diseases, Dyer joined the Public Health Service in 1916. As NIH Director he was instrumental in the establishment of the Clinical Center, the National Heart Institute, the National Institute of Dental Research, and the National Institute of Mental Health. An international authority on nutrition and dietary deficiency disease, William H. Sebrell began his Public Health Service work with Dr. Joseph Goldberger in 1926. From his position as director of the Experimental Biology and Medicine Institute Sebrell was appointed director of NIH in October 1950. He emphasized the establishment of international standards of nutrition and encouraged scientific nutrition's role within local and state health departments until his retirement in 1955. James Shannon's research interests concentrated on kidney function, chemotherapy, and malaria. After teaching and heading various research programs and work with the government on tropical diseases during World War II Shannon joined the Public Health Service in 1949. He was appointed director of NIH in 1955 after serving three years as assistant director. As director he was particularly focused on improving the public welfare. He retired as NIH director in 1968. Shannon's successor was Robert Q. Marston, a veteran professor and administrator of medical programs. Marston became an associate director of NIH in 1966, and also directed the Division of Regional Medical Programs. He was administrator of the Health Services and Mental Health Administration when he was appointed NIH director. Marston took interest in the nation's biomedical research program, facilitated legislation that encouraged the education of an increasing pool of health care professionals. He left his position at NIH in 1973.

From the description of NIH Directors' files, 1937-1983 (bulk 1950-1970). (National Library of Medicine). WorldCat record id: 54686275

The Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments was established by the President, through Executive Order No. 12891, Jan. 15, 1994, to provide advice and recommendations on the ethical and scientific standards applicable to human radiation experiments carried out or sponsored by the U.S. government. The Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments reports to the Human Radiation Interagency Working Group, the members of which include the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Attorney General, the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the director of Central Intelligence, and the director of the Office of Management and Budget.

From the guide to the Records of National Institutes of Health's Human Radiation Studies Task Force, (History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine)

Brief biographies of selected NIH Directors:

Rolla E. Dyer directed the National Institutes of Health from 1942 to 1950. Specializing in infectious diseases, Dyer joined the Public Health Service in 1916. As NIH Director he was instrumental in the establishment of the Clinical Center, the National Heart Institute, the National Institute of Dental Research, and the National Institute of Mental Health.

An international authority on nutrition and dietary deficiency disease, William H. Sebrell began his Public Health Service work with Dr. Joseph Goldberger in 1926. From his position as director of the Experimental Biology and Medicine Institute Sebrell was appointed director of NIH in October 1950. He emphasized the establishment of international standards of nutrition and encouraged scientific nutrition's role within local and state health departments until his retirement in 1955.

James Shannon's research interests concentrated on kidney function, chemotherapy, and malaria. After teaching and heading various research programs and work with the government on tropical diseases during World War II Shannon joined the Public Health Service in 1949. He was appointed director of NIH in 1955 after serving three years as assistant director. As director he was particularly focused on improving the public welfare. He retired as NIH director in 1968.

Shannon's successor was Robert Q. Marston, a veteran professor and administrator of medical programs. Marston became an associate director of NIH in 1966, and also directed the Division of Regional Medical Programs. He was administrator of the Health Services and Mental Health Administration when he was appointed NIH director. Marston took interest in the nation's biomedical research program, facilitated legislation that encouraged the education of an increasing pool of health care professionals. He left his position at NIH in 1973.

From the guide to the NIH Directors' Files, 1937-1983 (bulk 1950-1970), (History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine)

President Reagan declared the year beginning October 1, 1986 as National Institutes of Health Centennial Year. NIH celebrated the centennial during NIH Alumni Weekend, October 15-18, 1987, after holding an open house to the staff and public on October 4-5. During Alumni Weekend a special commemorative ceremony was held October 16 at the Shannon building and a banquet, symposium, and reception took place on October 17.

The National Institutes of Health traces its origin to the Hygienic Laboratory. Established in 1887 under the leadership of Joseph J. Kinyoun as the Laboratory of Hygiene, it originated at Staten Island's Marine Hospital. Upon relocating to Marine Hospital Service Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 1891, it was renamed the Hygienic Laboratory. The Marine Service merged into the newly created Public Health Service in 1912. In 1930 the Hygienic Laboratory was renamed the National Institute of Health, constituting the first of many Institutes.

From the guide to the NIH Centennial Celebration Collection, 1986-1987, (History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine)