News Release

Statement by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and NIH Director Francis Collins Regarding the President’s Intent to Appoint Dr. Harold Varmus as National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director at the National Institutes of Health

“Dr. Harold Varmus brings a vast wealth of expertise to this key leadership position at the Department.  Among his many professional distinctions, he is a Nobel laureate in cancer genetics; has been president of one of the premier cancer research and treatment institutions for the past decade; and previously has served the public as NIH director in the 1990s.  His contributions in understanding new knowledge about cancer have provided a foundation for treatments that have helped so many,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Today, cancer research is poised to move forward at an unprecedented speed and Harold is ideally qualified to lead the revolution to fight this formidable disease.”

“It is exhilarating and gratifying to have my good friend and colleague Harold Varmus back at NIH,” Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D., NIH Director said.  “We are extremely fortunate that he accepted the position as NCI Director.  Harold brings unmatched expertise at all levels -- not only in cutting edge scientific research, but also as a leader in the development of strategies for improving patient care, education and training, and in designing novel public-private partnerships.  I look forward to working together with him as we move forward on the development of new and powerful approaches to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer.”

To view President Obama’s announcement click here

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last revised: January 03, 2011