NIA Remembers Former Associate Director Kelty

Dr. Miriam Kelty, former associate director at the National Institute on Aging and founder of the NIH Bioethics Interest Group, died June 6. 

A trained psychologist, she held many leadership positions in her nearly 40 years at NIH. Her areas of interest included bioethics, clinical research policy, mentorship and behavioral research. 

In addition to serving as associate director at NIA (a role now called Division of Extramural Activities director), Kelty was executive secretary of the institute’s behavioral and neuroscience review. 

A leader in her field, she was active in the American Psychological Association and was once chief of its science directorate.

After she left federal service, Kelty continued to lead the NIH Bioethics Interest Group and work as a consultant. She was also an active volunteer in her community, participating on many boards and committees and helping to establish the Washington Area Villages Exchange, which connects senior “villages” in the D.C. area. 

In 2017, Kelty was awarded the Neil Potter Path of Achievement Award for lifelong commitment to volunteer service by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center. 

Many at NIH remember her fondly. “Miriam will long be remembered for her warmth, collegiality and unyielding dedication and commitment to advancing aging research,” said NIA director Dr. Richard Hodes. “Her leadership at NIA and the broader NIH have had a lasting and meaningful impact on our agency.”