NLM Musings from the Mezzanine
Innovations in Health Information from the Director of the National Library of Medicine
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am excited to share what I am grateful for this year. In years past, I’ve used this space to reflect with gratitude on the efforts of the 1,700 men and women who work at NLM. Other times, I’ve reflected on the impact of individuals who have contributed to my … Continue reading One NLM: I Am Thankful for How Far We Have Come!
Since its inception in 1882, Labor Day has served many purposes in the United States. Celebrated on the first Monday in September, this observance is a creation of the labor movement and dedicated to recognizing the contributions and achievements of American workers. Over time, Labor Day weekend has become a symbol of the unofficial end … Continue reading In Celebration of the NLM Workforce on Labor Day
This week we celebrate Memorial Day, a federal holiday to honor our veterans and remember the men and women of the U.S. military who gave their lives in the service of our country. Originally known as Decoration Day, this was a day for Americans to commemorate the memory of departed soldiers by adorning their graves … Continue reading Decoration Day, Pandemics, and the National Library of Medicine
Tomorrow, we celebrate National Nurses Day! I salute my nurse colleagues who work tirelessly to provide compassionate, expert health care to patients with a wide array of health challenges, and I affirm that NLM stands with you. I hope you can take a moment to absorb the outpouring of gratitude from around the world for … Continue reading Celebrating National Nurses Day: Compassion. Expertise. Trust.
As the Andy Williams song goes, “It’s the holiday season / So whoop-de-do and hickory dock / And don’t forget to hang up your sock.” This song from my childhood matches my mood and warms my soul. It brings back memories of growing up in a house full of kids, making presents for parents and … Continue reading The Holiday Season — What Ever Way Works Best for You
This time of year reminds us to reflect with gratitude on our lives and our work. This week, I want to share what I am thankful for as the director of NLM. I could go on forever, as evidenced by this list. While I tried to do a top 10, that wasn’t enough — which … Continue reading Thanksgiving – What I am Giving Thanks for This Year
Occasionally, through Musings, I’ve introduced you to my family — my brothers, who sometimes read my posts; my sisters, with whom I’ve shared many joys; my mom, who proudly watches over my progress in life; and my son, who has been known to broadcast some of my posts to the Twitterverse. But I’ve never introduced … Continue reading Saluting All Veterans with a Salute to my Father, Thomas Michael Flatley
It’s the time of the year for celebrating many holidays, from the winter solstice to Kwanzaa. I'm in Seattle spending Christmas week with my son, Conor. We’re reveling in tradition, cooking some of our family's favorite foods and re-telling the stories that never get old. We've got a small Christmas tree and a crèche in … Continue reading Holiday Greetings to All!
At this point in my life, two years into my role at the National Library of Medicine, I greet Labor Day with a bit of nostalgia. I was an academic for 30 years, and spent most of the 25 years prior to that as a student, doing the school thing from kindergarten through grad school. … Continue reading When September Doesn’t Mean Back to School
…wonderful holiday? …Merry Christmas? Joyous Kwanzaa? …Happy New Year? Regardless of which holiday you celebrate, I invite you to join me in extending heartfelt greetings to our families and friends, those with whom we work and those whom we serve. I am mindful that my “Merry Christmas” might not evoke in others memories similar to … Continue reading Have yourself a…