NLM Musings from the Mezzanine
Innovations in Health Information from the Director of the National Library of Medicine
Posts honoring an individual, an awareness event, or seasonal observances.
The ”Jerry Jar” crept into our lingo as a shorthand way of letting me say, “Here’s something important to handle—I am not quite sure what to do with it and I believe that it needs your expertise.” As we planned for his departure, I sought his advice about what to do with the “Jerry Jar” that had become so invaluable to our operations. “Smash it,” he said!
It is time for the Medical Library Association’s (MLA) Annual Meeting this week in Detroit, Michigan. This year is special because not only is MLA partnering with the Special Libraries Association to expand its offerings beyond health sciences librarianship, it’s also MLA’s 125th anniversary!
National Nurses Week is an opportune moment for us in the nursing profession to reflect on our nation's overall health and wellbeing and our role in redesigning and improving traditional models of health services. Check out a new framework from the Duke University School of Nursing that can inform how nurse-led models of care can effectively mitigate health inequities.
This year’s National Library Week theme is “There’s More to the Story.” A good story has a beginning, a middle, and an end, with an interesting setting and a fascinating cast of characters… and libraries have exceptional stories to tell. What is the rest of the story for the NIH Library?
Today marks the beginning of Black Maternal Health Week, an observance that brings awareness to the state of Black maternal health in the United States, gives voice to the experiences of Black families, and highlights the critical need to improve maternal health outcomes nationwide.
On February 7, I had the honor of attending and speaking at a Celebration of Dr. Roger I. Glass in the Ruth Kirschstein Auditorium on the main NIH campus to pay tribute to my dear colleague, Dr. Roger Glass. Read more about how his work at the NIH Fogarty International Center advanced global health research.
In honor of Black History Month 2023, we are highlighting positive and protective factors that raise awareness of and show appreciation for the myriad cultural and community strengths that facilitate safe spaces, where the health of children and adolescents can be fortified and maintained.
NIH’s Andrea Norris is an outstanding example of a visionary and leader in health information technology. She possesses deep technical knowledge, experience, creativity, and thoughtfulness. I had the good fortune to work closely with Andrea and considered her to be one of my closest colleagues here at NIH. In celebration of her more than 30 … Continue reading Dr. Andrea Norris to Retire, Leaving Legacy of Successful Innovation
When NLM wrapped up 2021 last December, we took a moment and considered what our future might bring. What would a hybrid work environment look like? How would we UNITE to show our commitment to health equity? Where are we in regard to our building renovations? And how would we continue to innovate NLM products … Continue reading How Looking Back Leads Us Forward: A Musings Year in Review
One of the great joys of being the Director of the National Library of Medicine is the many opportunities for me to express gratitude. In the past, I have given thanks to NLM staff who are veterans (2021), for progress during my tenure (2020), and to our amazing NLM staff members (2019). This year, I … Continue reading Giving Thanks Where Thanks is Due