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Oct
03
Posted by Carolyn Martin on October 3rd, 2016
Posted in: News from NLM
On September 12, 2016, Patricia Flatley Brennan, RN, PhD, was sworn in as the 19th director of the Library and the fourth person to serve as director since the institution became the National Library of Medicine 60 years ago. She is not only the first woman but also the first nurse to hold this position.
In her remarks, Dr. Brennan addressed a number of health and information issues. She relayed that her focus, while working as a nurse and an industrial engineer, was of reaching into the home because the place where most health occurs is in the home. But since most people do not want strangers traipsing through their private domain, addressing the health needs of individuals at the point of when they need it presented a challenge and required innovative solutions. She made further comments about the role of NLM and the need to make health information accessible at the point of need for both professionals and for consumers and innovative solutions will be required to meet those needs. Dr. Brennan remarked that by looking at the past it can become part of our present. She recognized the work of past NLM leaders which has led to some wonderful contributions over the years and even will continue to influence the present and the future. Dr. Brennan’s speech illustrated her knowledge and awareness of the present needs of researchers, healthcare professionals, and healthcare consumers but also emphasizing that NLM be ready for what lies ahead.
Dr. Brennan mentioned she would be working with the NLM Board of Regents on a one-year strategic planning initiative to create a vision for the future of the National Library of Medicine. She looks forward to working with all those associated with the National Library of Medicine to work together in achieving future goals so that NLM can continue to be a vital component in the world of research, information, and health. Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health, shared “We’re on your team and want to make this dream turn into something really spectacular and you’re just the right leader to make this happen.”
We all welcome Dr. Brennan as she takes the helm of NLM and leads it into the future. Watch the full swearing in ceremony https://videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?Live=19671&bhcp=1
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