Washington, D.C., March 26, 2002 - Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) President Jordan J. Cohen, M.D., issued the following statement today, regarding the nomination of Elias Zerhouni, M.D., as director of the National Institutes of Health:

President Bush has chosen a strong leader to be the next director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Elias Zerhouni is a leader in his field and has proven to be a gifted research administrator. I am confident that he will provide the kind of scientific leadership needed as the 15th director of the NIH - the world's premier biomedical research institution.

As executive vice dean and chair of the Department of Radiology and Radiological Science at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Zerhouni has had notable success in forming and fostering multi-disciplinary research efforts. A talented scientist, his innovative research related to magnetic resonance imaging technology has made him highly respected in this important field.

We applaud President Bush and Secretary Thompson for making this distinguished appointment. We support Dr. Zerhouni's nomination and urge his speedy confirmation by the Senate.

We also want to express our deep appreciation to Dr. Ruth Kirschstein for her very able stewardship of the NIH for the past twenty-seven months. Dr. Kirschstein has served as acting director of NIH longer than any other individual in the NIH's storied history. NIH has benefited greatly from her wisdom, dedication and leadership.

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The Association of American Medical Colleges represents the 125 accredited U.S. medical schools; the 16 accredited Canadian medical schools; some 400 major teaching hospitals, including Veterans Administration medical centers; more than 105,000 faculty in 98 academic and scientific societies; and the nation's 66,000 medical students and 97,000 residents. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.

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The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 129 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 94 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 109,000 faculty members, 67,000 medical students, and 104,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.

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