NEI’s Best Retires 

Cindy Best

Cynthia (“Cindy”) Best—long-time lead administrator for the National Eye Institute’s Office of the Director—retired after more than 39 years of government service.  

“Cindy was a calm but persistent force through many changes at NEI,” said NEI Deputy Director Dr. Santa Tumminia. “She kept us organized and on time, and she kept me sane.”  

Best joined NIH in 1982 as a secretary in the Office of Management Assessment. In 1997 she became executive assistant and office manager for Wendy Baldwin, deputy director for extramural research. In 2003, after Baldwin retired, Best joined NEI, managing administrative operations for two NEI directors: Dr. Paul A. Sieving, who retired in 2019, and current NEI Director Dr.  Michael F. Chiang.  

Best’s retirement plans include motorcycling and boating. When asked what she liked most about working at NIH, Best said, “the people.”