Monica Bertagnolli confirmed as NIH director after Senate vote

USA — Monica Bertagnolli has successfully passed the final hurdle to become the first Senate-confirmed director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under President Biden, marking a significant development after a nearly two-year gap.

The Senate’s 62-36 vote on Tuesday sealed her confirmation, as reported by Endpoints News.

Bertagnolli, who currently serves as the head of the NIH’s National Cancer Institute, faced scrutiny during the confirmation process, notably from Senate Health Committee Chair Bernie Sanders.

Senator Sanders voted against her confirmation, expressing concerns about her readiness to tackle issues related to pharmaceutical industry practices.

Sanders emphasized the need for fundamental changes in the way the NIH addresses the problem of high prescription drug costs, stating, “The status quo is not working.”

Initially, Sanders had held up Bertagnolli’s nomination while seeking drug pricing concessions from the Biden administration.

He ultimately achieved this through Regeneron’s agreement with the U.S. government to develop a monoclonal Covid-19 antibody.

On the Democratic side, Bertagnolli faced opposition not only from Sanders but also from Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman.

However, she received support from several Republican senators, including Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, and Mitt Romney of Utah.

The NIH had been under the leadership of acting director Lawrence Tabak since December 2021, following the departure of Francis Collins after a 12-year tenure as director.

Monica Bertagnolli, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, brings a wealth of experience to her new role as an oncologist, cancer researcher, and physician leader.

She grew up on a ranch in Wyoming, graduated from Princeton University, and attended medical school at the University of Utah.

Bertagnolli is the second woman to lead the NIH, following Bernadine Healy during George H.W. Bush’s presidency.

Currently serving as the Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Dr. Bertagnolli stands as the first woman to have taken on this role.

Her experience and accomplishments are impressive and extensive, spanning from her tenure as the Richard E. Wilson Professor of Surgery in the field of surgical oncology at Harvard Medical School to her position as a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

She has also contributed her expertise to the Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment and Sarcoma Centers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Her ability to navigate the complexities of these prestigious positions speaks volumes about her exceptional leadership abilities and her dedication to the medical field.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra praised the Senate’s decision to confirm Bertagnolli, highlighting her reputation for tackling deadly diseases and advocating for cancer patients.

He expressed confidence in her ability to bring her tireless energy and clear vision to the role of NIH director.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, acknowledged the challenges facing the NIH.

She pointed to concerns about “risky” research funded by the NIH and raised issues related to the agency’s handling of sexual harassment cases.

Director Bertagnolli committed to addressing these concerns, emphasizing her commitment to making the NIH fully compliant with Congressional inquiries.

Establishing a culture of transparency and honesty with the American people is seen as a crucial step in rebuilding trust in the government.

For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook.