Congratulations, Jeffrey Kaufman of the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation!!

I just saw an announcement from the National Institutes of Health that Mr. Kaufman, of the ACCRF, is one of 7 named to the NIH Council of Councils: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/dec2011/od-19.htm

From the announcement:
"The National Institutes of Health today announced the appointments of seven individuals to the NIH Council of Councils. The council was established to advise the NIH Director on policies and activities of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI), including making recommendations on research that represents important areas of emerging scientific opportunities, rising public health challenges, or knowledge gaps that deserve special emphasis or would otherwise benefit from strategic planning and coordination.
The council is composed of 27 members nominated by the NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) and from the Council of Public Representatives, an advisory committee to the NIH Office of the Director. Council members bring knowledge of their individual IC’s missions and operations, not as official representatives, but to provide advice beyond the research agenda of any individual IC.
"The breadth of expertise brought by these individuals will enhance the council's ability to achieve its mission by offering a diversity of perspectives and talents. Collectively the council will inform our approach to selected trans-NIH research initiatives." said DPCPSI Director, James M. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D."

I know Mr. Kaufman will be in the right place to bring our rare cancer into some very important conversations and planning sessions, and I thank him for his service!

In addition to having this "six degrees" connection to the NIH Council of Councils - I know another name in the seven: Joyce A. Mitchell, Ph.D. I was fortunate to work with her team at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and know her to be a major 'mover and shaker' in the health care world. Go Dr. Mitchell, go!