Organization, functions, and authority delegations: Communications and Public Liaison Office,

[Federal Register: February 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 34)]

[Notices]

[Page 8583-8584]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr22fe99-93]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority

Part N, National Institutes of Health, of the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority for the Department of Health and Human Services (40 FR 22859, May 27, 1975, as amended most recently at 63 FR 8656, February 20, 1998, and redesignated from Part HN as Part N at 60 FR 56605, November 9, 1995), is amended as set forth below to rename the Office of Communications (NA8, formerly HNA8) and establish organizational components for current activities within the Office.

Section N-B, Organization and Functions, is amended by replacing the current sections NA8 through NA824 (formerly HNA8 through HNA824) with the following:

Office of Communications and Public Liaison (NA8, formerly HNA8). (1) Plans and directs activities to communicate information about NIH programs and accomplishments to the general public, the scientific community, the medical profession, and public advocacy groups; (2) advises the Director of NIH on effective communications strategies; (3) represents the Director of NIH in relations with the media and scientific publications; (4) coordinates communications policy and activities with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and with the Institutes and Centers of NIH; (5) directs the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act at NIH; (6) facilitates

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public participation in NIH activities through the Council of Public Representatives and other means.

Office of the Director (NA81, formerly HNA81). (1) Directs and coordinates the operations of the Office of Communications and Public Liaison; (2) functions as spokesman for the Director of NIH; (3) operates the NIH public liaison program; and (4) provides staff support for the Council of Public Representatives.

Public Information Office (NA82, formerly HNA82). (1) Advises the Associate Director for Communications on the public information and public affairs activities of NIH; (2) produces and reviews a wide variety of publications and media presentations about NIH programs and research for the general public and the scientific community; (3) assists NIH components to produce effective public information publications and presentations; (4) prepares speeches, articles, and other presentations for officials of NIH and the Office of the Secretary; and (5) supports media interactions by the Director, NIH, and other NIH scientists and officials.

Office of the Director (NA821, formerly HNA821). Plans and directs the operations of the Public Information Office.

New Media Branch (NA822, formerly HNA822). (1) Serves the central news contact for NIH and maintains contact with members of the electronic and print media; (2) prepares and issues feature materials describing NIH programs; (3) produces audio tapes of health messages and interviews with NIH scientists for use by radio stations; (4) manages press conferences for the Director of NIH and other scientists and officials; (5) keeps the NIH leadership informed about media coverage of NIH issues and programs; and (6) clears press releases and audiovisual productions with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs before distribution.

Editorial Operations Branch (NA824, formerly HNA824). (1) Plans and produces NIH-wide publications; (2) reviews articles and publications produced by Institutes and Centers for consistency with NIH policy and program objectives; (3) clears NIH publications with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; and (4) publishes The NIH Record, the NIH Calendar of Events, the NIH Almanac, and the NIH Publications List and Information Index.

Science Communications Branch (NA825, formerly HNA825). (1) Facilitates the understanding of scientific concepts by the media and general public: (2) publishes health information newsletters such as Word on Health; (3) conducts periodic seminars for science writers and staffs similar activities, such as residence programs for science writers; and (4) keeps up-to-date information on research advances by NIH scientists and grantees.

Online Information Branch (NA826, formerly HNA826). (1) Coordinates and supports the use of networked computers to provide information about NIH within the Office of Communications and Public Liaison; (2) manages the NIH World Wide Web Coordinating Committee, which provides leadership for the design and content of the NIH Web site; (3) works with other relevant offices and committees in establishing operational standards and guidelines for Web sites at NIH; (4) has direct responsibility for several major areas of the NIH home page that address the special needs of health care professionals, patients, members of the press, the public and employees; (5) manages the processing of electronic mail sent to the NIH home page; (6) provides Web support services and guidance to other OD offices including the Director, NIH; and (7) conducts special studies on the use of the NIH Web, including evaluation projects.

Special Projects Branch (NA827, formerly HNA827). (1) Plans, organizes, and conducts special public events and functions; (2) conducts tours and orientations for a wide variety of domestic and international groups visiting NIH; (3) operates the NIH Visitor Information Center; and (4) conducts NIH-wide voluntary efforts such as the Combined Federal Campaign.

Freedom of Information Office (NA83, formerly HNA83). (1) Manages the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) at NIH; (2) provides FOIA policy guidance, training, and advice to Institutes, Centers, and components of the Office of the Director, NIH; (3) responds to selected, highly sensitive FOIA requests; (4) coordinates the response to FOIA requests involving more than one NIH component; (5) issues all denials under the FOIA for NIH; (6) provides the NIH position if FOIA decisions are appealed to the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; and (7) helps the public interested in NIH to use the FOIA.

NIH History Office and Museum (NA84, formerly HNA84). (1) Provides guidance to Institutes and Centers regarding the preservation of historical materials such as documents, photographs, and artifacts; (2) provides the Director, NIH, and other senior staff with oral or written historical perspectives on current policy issues; (3) prepares oral and written histories and historical presentations primarily on NIH- conducted or -sponsored biomedical research; (4) maintains selected historical materials; (5) manages the DeWitt Stetten, Jr., Museum of Medical Research, which: (a) Collects, preserves, and exhibits biomedical research instruments, technologies, and memorabilia, especially those related to NIH; and (b) educates the public about the process and achievements of biomedical research through exhibits and publications that generally focus on the research of NIH investigators.

Delegations of Authority Statement: All delegations and redelegations of authority to offices and employees of NIH which were in effect immediately prior to the effective date of this reorganization and are consistent with this reorganization shall continue in effect, pending further redelegation.

Dated: February 10, 1999. Harold Varmus, Director, National Institutes of Health.

[FR Doc. 99-4305Filed2-19-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4140-01-M