Engaging with Purpose: Libraries as Healing Spaces

Over the past month, students across the country started their first day of school—it’s a day of excitement, promise, and the hope of new growth. For some students, including those who were at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, it’s a challenging time—how to reach for the future without the pain of the past. Importantly, … Continue reading Engaging with Purpose: Libraries as Healing Spaces

When You Stand on the Shoulders of a Giant, What Do You See?

This blog contains my remarks from the 2022 Lindberg-King Lecture and Scientific Symposium: Science, Society, and the Legacy of Donald A.B. Lindberg, M.D., which took place on September 1, 2022. Watch a recording of the event here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTDPTxjL6oc&t=10617s I had the great fortune of becoming the director of the National Library of Medicine immediately following … Continue reading When You Stand on the Shoulders of a Giant, What Do You See?

The Importance of Listening—and Listening More—in Strategic Planning

I have spent much of the last year deeply involved in the creation of the very first NIH Digital Strategy Plan—an effort that requires listening across myriad NIH institutions and our stakeholders to glean what each finds important to our mission of seeking out and applying fundamental health care knowledge. I am proud to serve … Continue reading The Importance of Listening—and Listening More—in Strategic Planning

Meet the NLM Investigators: Dr. Demner-Fushman Knows the Answers to Your Questions!

Meet my close colleague, Dr. Dina Demner-Fushman! This brilliant researcher is the face behind what many of you have already accessed on NLM’s websites. Many of you will agree with me when I say that having one PhD is extremely impressive–but would you believe she has TWO?! In addition to her master’s degree, Dr. Demner-Fushman … Continue reading Meet the NLM Investigators: Dr. Demner-Fushman Knows the Answers to Your Questions!

How Being an ICU Nurse Prepared Me to be NLM Director

In mid-May, at their 2022 National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition in Houston, Texas, I received a great honor from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN): the AACN Pioneering Spirit Award. I was delighted to receive this prestigious award, which recognizes significant contributions that influence progressive and critical care nursing worldwide and … Continue reading How Being an ICU Nurse Prepared Me to be NLM Director

The Next Normal: Supporting Biomedical Discovery, Clinical Practice, and Self-Care

coronavirus pixels with earth behind

As we start year three of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s time for NLM to take stock of the parts of our past that will support the next normal and what we might need to change as we continue to fulfill our mission to acquire, collect, preserve, and disseminate biomedical literature to the world. Today, I … Continue reading The Next Normal: Supporting Biomedical Discovery, Clinical Practice, and Self-Care

What is the Role of a Mentor?

Team of three forward-facing scientists observing a computer screen. Logo for For Your Informatics webpage superimposed on top right of background.

Guest post by Karmen S. Williams, DrPH, MBA, Assistant Professor at City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, and Meera G. Subash, MD, Assistant Professor and Division Quality Officer for the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern Medical School. "Everyone, at every point … Continue reading What is the Role of a Mentor?