WASHINGTON—October 7, 2009—Research!America responds to the news of the death of Ruth L. Kirschstein, MD, the first woman director of an NIH Institute, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. During her long NIH career, she served as deputy director, acting director and senior adviser to multiple directors.
Research!America's chair, former Illinois Congressman John Edward Porter, said, "The loss of Dr. Kirschstein is felt throughout the research community. Her leadership and commitment to science and public service were inspirational, and she is sorely missed."
Research!America President Mary Woolley said, "Dr. Kirschstein leaves a remarkable, larger-than-life legacy, even as thoroughly life-embracing as that of our former chair emeritus Paul G. Rogers, whom we lost a year ago. Both were deeply committed to improving lives through research.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to Dr. Kirschstein's family, including her husband Dr. Al Rabson and their son Dr. Arnold Rabson."
Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, Research!America is supported by 500 member organizations that represent the voices of 125 million Americans. Visit www.researchamerica.org.
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Pictured above: The Hon. Paul G. Rogers and Ruth L. Kirschstein, MD, in 2001.
The Hon. Bob Michel; The Hon. Paul Rogers; Ruth L. Kirschstein, MD; Elias A. Zerhouni, MD; The Hon. John Edward Porter