Minutes of the NIH Academy Working Group Meeting

May 21, 1999

3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Shannon Building Room 151

Present:

Dr. Garcia-Perez, Co-Chair

Mr. Parker, Co-Chair

Ms. Andrews, Exec.Secy.

Dr. Cadet

Dr. Landis

Dr. Counts

Dr. Loh

Dr. Fojo

Dr. Owens

Ms. Hanning

Dr. Poodry

Ms. Hedetniemi

Dr. Rabson

Mr. Horowitz

Dr. Ruffin

Dr. Johnson

Dr. Schaffer

Dr. Kaplan

Dr. Yakel

Dr. Kleinman

Absent:

Dr. Bonifacino

Guests:

Dr. Jean Flagg-Newton, OD

Dr. Ruth Kirschstein, OD

Dr. Michael Gottesman, OIR

Dr. Matthew Rechler, NIDDK/OIR
Dr. Garcia-Perez began the meeting by introducing Dr. Michael Gottesman, Deputy Director for Intramural Research, who briefly explained the important role of the members of the NIH Academy Working Group. He discussed the creation of the Working Group as it pertains to the Slavkin Report and expressed the strong support it has from Dr. Harold Varmus, NIH Director. The Co-Chairs of the Working Group, Dr. Garcia-Perez and Mr. Levon Parker, were introduced. Members and guests present introduced themselves.
  1. Schedule of meetings: Dr. Garcia-Perez asked how often the Group felt they should meet. It was decided that it will be once per month. The next meeting was scheduled for June 18, 1999.
  2. Inclusion of the NIH Academy Working Group Members List, http://www1.od.nih.gov/oir/sourcebook/comm-adv/academy-work-grp.htm, on the NIH Intramural Resource Sourcebook Website: The members approved Dr. Garcia-Perez's request to include them on this website.
  3. Discussion of the Charge for the Working Group: Dr. Poodry suggested an amendment to the Charge that would incorporate the gathering of information that would help us delineate the target audience of candidates for the NIH Academy, the marketing strategies for recruitment into the NIH Academy, and the design of the NIH Academy. Two broad categories of information were expressly desired. One would be a review of the existing literature regarding models of best practice for biomedical research training and mentoring. The other would be to obtain information from current NIH trainees at all levels, most particularly those from a disadvantaged background and underrepresented minorities, regarding their views on "the NIH experience." For example: how did they first hear about the NIH?, what made them come to the NIH?, how has their experience here been? The best way to gather that information was discussed. The principal discussion centered on the use of focus groups versus surveys. The general consensus was that focus groups may provide the information in a more timely manner. Focus groups should include at least the following types of trainees: 1999 summer students, UGSP students (here for the summer), postbaccalaureate IRTAs (regular pre-IRTAs and technical pre-IRTAs), predoctoral IRTAs (graduate students), postdoctoral IRTAs, and other postdoctorals (e.g., clinical fellows) who are U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents ("green card"; no foreign nationals). The focus groups should have an abundance of trainees from underrepresented minorities. The amendment to the Charge was approved in principle pending a written draft to be approved at the next meeting.
  4. Formation of Initial Subcommittees: Two initial subcommittees were constituted to address the first two parts of the Charge. One, the "Best Practices - Focus Groups/Surveys Subcommittee," will pursue the information requested in the amendment to the charge. The other is the "Current NIH Intramural Recruitment Efforts/Programs and Data Subcommittee." The membership on the subcommittees is as follows:

    Best Practices - Focus Groups/Surveys Subcommittee

    Janyce Hedetniemi, Co-Chair

    Clifton Poodry, Co-Chair

    George Counts

    Roland Owens

    Brenda Hanning

    Walter Schaffer

    Marc Horowitz

    Jerrell Yakel

    Levon Parker

    Current NIH Intramural Recruitment Efforts/Programs and Data Subcommittee

    Arlyn Garcia-Perez, Co-Chair

    Peng Loh, Co-Chair

    Juan Bonifacino

    Barry Kaplan

    Jean Lud Cadet

    Hynda Kleinman

    Sylvia Fojo

    Alan Rabson

    Alfred Johnson

  5. Items for ongoing discussions at future meetings: Definition of the NIH Academy (separate entity versus umbrella concept); goals of the NIH Academy; environment of the NIH Academy; how to legally target populations specified by the Slavkin Report; outside consultants desired, among others.

 

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Revised: 12/21/99