Collins Receives Exceptional Honor from HHS

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From l, ADM Rachel Levine, NIH Director Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins with his wife Diane Baker, and LT Richard Childs, scientific director at NHLBI

Photo:  Chia-Chi Charlie Chang

Assistant Secretary for Health ADM Rachel Levine presented former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins with the Exceptional Service Medallion during a small ceremony at NIH on Nov. 21.

“Dr. Collins, you have demonstrated exceptional dedication as the director of NIH over 12 years, truly anchoring the agency, and providing relief and guidance to those you oversaw,” said Levine, who also is head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She commended Collins for being a staunch public health and research leader. “Now I have the honor of bestowing [this] award to you, which is the highest medal I can give.”

As read in a statement by LCDR Michele Kerns, Collins was honored “for exceptional and steady leadership during extraordinary times, a notably impactful career in biomedical research, and outstanding achievements and contributions.” He also was recognized for “his career-long contributions toward advancing, protecting and promoting our nation’s key public health programs and initiatives.”