In Gratitude to Dr. Vivian W. Pinn
Dr. Vivian W. Pinn, M.D., was the first full-time director of the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) and co-chair of the NIH Working Group on Women in Biomedical Careers. Under her strong leadership, ORWH supported science-driven women’s health and sex differences research, worked to ensure inclusion for women and minorities in clinical trials, and facilitated collaboration between the NIH Institutes and Centers to create a strong coalition dedicated to women’s health research and career development for female scientists. Dr. Pinn retired from the NIH and the Federal government on August 31, 2011.
Dr. Pinn has had a remarkable career as a physician, scientist, teacher, and Federal servant. As the only minority and the only female in her class at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, she boldly pursued her dreams of practicing medicine. After graduation, she studied immunopathology at Massachusetts General Hospital, and then accepted an offer from Tufts University School of Medicine. In her twelve years at Tufts, She became the assistant dean of student affairs and associate professor of pathology. In 1982, Dr. Pinn relocated to Howard University, where she served as the chair of the pathology department, the first woman to do so at any US medical school. In 1991, she became the first full-time director of the newly formed NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health, a position she held for two decades. Dr. Pinn’s many honors include serving as president of the National Medical Association, election to the National Academies of Sciences Institute of Medicine, receiving the Amerigroup Foundation’s Women of Color Leadership Award, being honored by the National Organization for Women, and receiving nine honorary degrees for her contributions to the field of women’s health
Throughout her career, Dr. Pinn has always been passionate about her role as teacher and mentor, saying, "I don't think you're truly a good doctor or a good researcher if you don't reach back to help others coming along."1 She has led ORWH and the Working Group in numerous efforts to increase participation of women and minorities in the biomedical sciences. Under her leadership, the Working Group has enacted many important changes to NIH intramural and extramural practices that support diversity in the scientific arena and benefit all scientists balancing family responsibilities with a demanding career. Members of the Working Group and the NIH community will miss her enthusiasm, dedication, and boundless energy.
In a tribute to Dr. Pinn, Dr. Kathy Hudson, NIH Deputy Director for Science, Outreach, and Policy, called her “a true pioneer in women’s health,” and commented that Dr. Pinn “leaves behind a robust legacy of putting women’s issues on the radar at NIH.”2
ORWH and the Working Group will carry on Dr, Pinn’s vision for women’s health and career development under the leadership of Janine A. Clayton, M.D., Acting Director of ORWH.
1 http://biography.jrank.org/pages/2473/Pinn-Vivian.html
2 http://feedback.nih.gov/index.php/general/vivianpinn/
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