Celebrating Plain Language and Clear Communication

National Institutes of Health

May 26, 2010
CLEAR AND TO THE POINT

■

Answer your reader’s questions

■

Use language appropriate for your reader

■

Include only necessary details

■

Use the active voice

■

Use personal pronouns such as “we” and “you”

■

Use short sentences and paragraphs

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Use tables, lists, and other easy-to-understand design features
1

Celebrating Plain Language and 

Clear Communication 

National Institutes of Health

Masur Auditorium

May 26, 2010

Welcome Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D.

Deputy Director, NIH

Special Recognition of Volunteers John T. Burklow

Associate Director for Communications 

and Public Liaison, NIH

Remarks Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.

Director, NIH

Introduction of Keynote Speaker Marin P. Allen, Ph.D.

Deputy Associate Director for 

Communications and Public Liaison, NIH

Keynote Speaker Jeff Howe

Author of Crowdsourcing and 

Contributing Editor, Wired magazine

Presentation of Awards Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D.

John T. Burklow

Marin P. Allen, Ph.D.

Closing Remarks John T. Burklow

Please join us for light refreshments following the ceremony to celebrate fine writing.
2

A Tongue for an Eye: Device Challenges 

Conventional Vision – NEI 

This feature story uses the active voice and clear

descriptions to convey a blind adventure athlete’s

experiences using a low-vision device and the

research behind the device. The article is meant

to interest employees in attending an NEI 40th

anniversary event.

Allyson Collins, M.S.

Acupuncture-Like Treatments Improve 

Outcomes Compared to Usual Care for 

Low Back Pain – NCCAM

This press release, developed from complicated

scientific information, informed the public

about new information on acupuncture or

simulated acupuncture as a treatment option

for low back pain.

Katy Danielson, M.P.H.

Agricultural Health Study 

Update 2009 – NCI 

This newsletter was developed as a means

of staying in touch with the nearly 90,000

participants in the Agricultural Health Study,

a prospective cohort that includes licensed

pesticide applicators and their spouses. The

publication updated participants on the latest

scientific findings from the Study, educated

them about specific health risks associated

with pesticide use and measures that may

reduce that risk, and also thanked them for

their contributions to the Study.

Agricultural Health Study Executive Committee 

Agricultural Health Study Field Stations Staff, 

North Carolina 

Agricultural Health Study Field Stations Staff, Iowa

Agricultural Health Study Coordinating Center 

Rhonda DeJoice

Jennifer Loukissas, M.P.P.

GOLD AWARD

He that uses many words for the explaining any subject 

doth, like the cuttlefish, hide himself for the most part 

in his own ink.

■ John Ray
3

Caring for a Person with Alzheimer’s 

Disease: Your Easy-to-Use Guide from 

the National Institute on Aging – NIA 

As people with Alzheimer’s disease lose the

ability to remember, think, and use good

judgment, they need more and more help to

carry out the daily activities of life. This free,

easy-to-read guide, seeks to provide detailed

information, time-tested tips, expert guidance,

access to available resources, and positive

support to help caregivers learn about and

cope with these changes and challenges.

David Burton

Wendy Mettger, M.A.

Jennifer Watson, M.A.

Karen Pocinki, M.A.

Vicky Cahan

Challenge Yourself: 

Be An NCI Fellow! – NCI 

This bookmark is a recruitment tool to engage

pre- and post-doctoral fellows in training

programs at the Division of Cancer Epidemiology

and Genetics. The material is designed to direct

potential applicants to the Division’s website.

Joseph F. Fraumeni, Jr., M.D.

Jackie Lavigne, Ph.D.

Kristin Kiser, M.H.A., M.S. 

Wendy Schneider-Levinson

Office of Education Advisory Group 

Choosing Nutrient Dense Foods 

Video – NIA 

This short video uses expert interviews and

profiles of two older adults to describe the

concept and practice of nutrient-dense eating.

Featured in the Eating Well as You Get Older

topic on NIHSeniorHealth.gov, the video

encourages older adults to choose foods

that can provide the most nutritional

benefit as they age.

Stephanie Dailey, M.A.

Karen Pocinki, M.A.

Vicky Cahan

ClinSeq Clinical Trial Video – NHGRI

This video helps to educate potential participants

about NIH’s ClinSeq study. The clinical trial is

among the first to explore the promise of DNA

sequencing for personalized health care.

Maggie Bartlett

Alvaro Encinas 

Rebecca Kolberg, M.S. 

Peter Standring, M.S.

Larry Thompson, M.S., M.F.A. 

GOLD AWARD

I’m not a very good writer, 

but I’m an excellent rewriter.

■ James Michener
4

Concerned About Coffee? 

It May Actually Be Good for You – OD 

This article appeared in NIH News in Health,

a free monthly newsletter that provides practical

health information based on NIH research.

The story explored the facts about popular

rumors that coffee causes everything from

heart disease to cancer.

Harrison Wein, Ph.D.

Eating Hints: Before, During, and 

After Cancer Treatment – NCI 

This booklet helps people who are undergoing

cancer treatment cope with eating problems.

It includes information on the most common

treatment-related eating problems. Each eating

problem has strategies and lists of foods and

drinks for coping.

Lorna Patrick, M.S.W.

Helen Osborne, M.Ed., OTR/L 

Susan Spangler, Digital Art

Exercise and Physical Activity: 

Your Everyday Guide from the 

National Institute on Aging – NIA 

This guide combines the latest scientific

information about exercise for older people

with expert input on what motivates people

to become active. Two main points reiterated

throughout the guide are that exercise and

physical activity are good for you, and it’s

never too late to start exercising or increase

your level of physical activity. Original

photographs and clear step-by-step directions

demonstrate sample exercises and enhance

the guide’s utility. Vignettes connect readers

with others who have successfully applied

the tips provided in the guide.

Karen Pocinki, M.A.

Anne Rodgers, M.A.

Monica Snellings 

GOLD AWARD

Easy reading is damn hard writing.

■ Nathaniel Hawthorne
5

Findings, September 2009 Issue – NIGMS 

Findings magazine showcases diverse and

vibrant scientists who do cutting-edge research.

Each issue profiles two scientists—one man

and one woman—and contains brief research

highlights, a puzzle or other activity, and online

extras like videos. The profile articles feature

not only the research, but also the hobbies,

backgrounds, and personalities of the scientists.

Our goal with Findings is to “put a face on

science” and to present engaging role models

who will inspire young people to consider

careers in biomedical research.

Alisa Machalek, M.S.

Emily Carlson, M.A.

Alison Davis, Ph.D.

Healthy Moments – NIDDK

Through this second annual series of weekly

radio reports, the NIDDK Director provides

health tips to prevent and control diseases

within the Institute’s mission. To further

extend the messages, reports also are archived

on NIDDK’s website and posted and streamed

online by Majic 102.3 FM, Magic 95.9 FM,

and WKYS 93.9 FM.

Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., M.A.C.P.

Wendy Starman Papier, M.S.

Ody Leonard

Toni Campbell

Andrew S. Narva, M.D., F.A.C.P. 

Joanne M. Gallivan, M.S., R.D.

Leslie L. Curtis, M.A.

Eileen Newman, M.S., R.D.

Mary Harris

Alex Green IV 

¡Ojo con su Visión! Si tiene diabetes, 

lea esta historia (Watch Out for Your 

Vision: Read This Story if You Have 

Diabetes) – NEI 

This photonovella (available in English and

Spanish) is an illustrated story booklet designed

to educate Hispanics/Latinos with diabetes

about the eye complications of diabetes.

Neyal Ammary-Risch, M.P.H., CHES

Laurie Hamilton

André Marschalko

Leslie Rivera, M.A.

GOLD AWARD

A good novel tells us the truth 

about its hero; but a bad novel 

tells us the truth about its author.

■ G.K. Chesterton
6

¡Podemos! Bocadillos 100 Calorías o 

Menos (We Can! Snacks – 100 Calories 

or Less) – NHLBI 

This resource, originally developed for the ‘We

Can! Energize Our Families: Parent Program: A

Leader’s Guide,’ now is available as a stand-alone

Spanish-language tip sheet for families and

communities. It offers numerous suggestions

for low-calorie snacks that can be included in

a healthy diet. This information is especially

useful for Latino and Hispanic communities

that exhibit higher prevalence rates of

childhood obesity.

Karen Donato, S.M.

Matilde Alvarado, R.N., M.S.

Gloria Ortiz

National HIV Testing Day Statement – 

NIAID 

This statement communicated the importance

of getting tested for HIV.

Laura Sivitz, M.S.J.

National Diabetes Education Program 

(NDEP) Website – NIDDK 

NDEP’s newly redesigned website is more

user-friendly and easier to navigate. Four

entrance portals allow users to get needed

content quickly. The redesign was based on

user feedback and user interest and concerns.

Joanne Gallivan, M.S., R.D.

Eugenie Thompson

John Bobosh, M.A.

Angela Carlson Mills, M.A.

New Online Features Translate Vision 

Science to Everyday Life – NEI 

This news release uses an innovative, interactive

format and concise descriptions to unveil

multimedia resources on the NEI website.

Allyson Collins, M.S.

Jean Horrigan 

GOLD AWARD

Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show 

me the glint of light on broken glass.

■ Anton Chekhov
7

NIDAMED Resources for Medical and 

Health Professionals – NIDA 

This innovative and interactive Web-based set

of tools is designed to help physicians efficiently

and easily screen their patients for substance

abuse, conduct brief interventions, and make

referrals to treatment as needed. It can help

catch substance abuse problems before they

progress to addiction and other deleterious

health outcomes.

Tom Brady, Ph.D.

Redonna Chandler, Ph.D. 

Wilson Compton, M.D.

Elisabeth Davis, M.P.H.

Richard Denisco, M.D.

Gaya Dowling, Ph.D.

Jennifer Elcano, M.A.

Carol Krause, M.A.

Jan Lipkin

Cindy Miner, Ph.D.

Lisa Onken, Ph.D.

Cecelia Spitznas, Ph.D.

Susan Weiss, Ph.D.

NIDCR Spanish-Language Website – NIDCR 

This website provides high quality, culturally

and linguistically appropriate Spanish-language

oral health information to U.S. Latinos. The

site tested favorably in focus groups with both

Spanish-dominant and bilingual individuals.

Preliminary data from the American Customer

Satisfaction Index survey indicate that user

satisfaction with the site is high.

Karina Boehm, M.P.H.

Marco Beltran, M.P.H., Dr.P.H.

Jody Dove

Richard Barnes

IQ Solutions 

NIH MedlinePlus Salud Magazine – NLM

NIH MedlinePlus Salud (Spanish for ‘health’)

is a free, consumer-friendly guide to the vast

array of authoritative online health and medical

information at medlineplus.gov/salud. NIH, the

Friends of the National Library of Medicine,

and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health,

publish NIH MedlinePlus Salud to provide

Hispanic Americans with the gold standard of

reliable health information in a user-friendly

format. This new magazine, written in both

Spanish and English, complements NIH 

MedlinePlus magazine, which premiered in 2006.

Patricia Carson

Kathleen Cravedi, M.S.

Naomi Miller, M.L.S.

Elliot Siegel, Ph.D.

GOLD AWARD

The best style is the style you don’t notice.

■ Somerset Maugham
8

No More Butts: Snuff Out that Cigarette 

for Good – OD

This article offered readers inspiration and

up-to-date information on how to quit

smoking and why it’s important. It was

published in NIH News in Health, a free

monthly newsletter that provides a general

readership with practical health information

based on NIH research.

Vicki Contie, M.A.

Older Adults: You Can Get Help – NIA 

This booklet was developed by NIA to provide

an easy-to-read overview of the complex issues

pertinent to older people and alcohol use.

Getting help is the theme of the booklet.

Using engaging techniques, such as personal

stories, checklists, and questions and answers,

the booklet provides information and

encouragement for older people who may

have concerns about drinking problems.

It offers a list of resources for more

detailed information.

Freddi Karp, M.PA.

Jann Keenan, Ed.S.

Anne Decker

Carolyn Hirschman, M.A.

Vicky Cahan

Series of YouTube Videos/Scripts, 

Various Drug Abuse Topics – NIDA 

This novel video series, featuring real NIDA

staff, talks to teens about drug abuse and shares

information with them in an accessible format

they can relate to, making them more receptive

to the message.

Ruben Baler, Ph.D.

Redonna Chandler, Ph.D.

Wilson Compton, M.D.

Cheryl Dolan, BCI Media LLC

Gaya Dowling, Ph.D.

Joe Frascella, Ph.D.

Sharan Jayne

Carol Krause, M.A.

Cindy Miner, Ph.D.

Joni Rutter, Ph.D.

GOLD AWARD

It’s easy for us to forget the power 

of words. We use them the way 

an engineer uses a slide rule, 

a surgeon uses a scalpel, or a 

cop uses handcuffs or a gun.

■ Jonathan Capehart, 

2009 NIH Plain Language 

Awards Ceremony
9

Smokefree Women Website – NCI

Despite the dangers, one in five women continues

to smoke in the United States. Research reveals

that women face unique risks associated with

female biology and challenges in trying to quit.

This evidence-based cessation website provides

tools and information for women, especially

those in their childbearing years, to become

and remain nonsmokers. By quitting, mothers

avoid modeling smoking to their children and

avert the serious health risks of tobacco use.

Erik Augustson, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Ami Bahde, M.P.H. 

Yvonne Hunt, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Mary Schwarz

Shani Taylor, M.H.S. 

Alison Pilsner, M.P.H., C.P.H., CHES

Lewellyn Belber

Stroke: Challenges, Progress, and 

Promise – NINDS 

This progress report on the most important

research advances in stroke summarizes the

results of numerous research studies supported

by NINDS in recent years. The report contains

full-color, high-resolution images to help the

reader understand highly technical topics,

serve as a guide for investigators on recent

scientific findings, and may help speed up

the pace of discovery on stroke.

Daniel Stimson, Ph.D.

The Sara Bellum Blog – NIDA 

The Sara Bellum blog strives to connect teens

with the latest scientific research and new, to

help them make healthy, smart decisions.

This vanguard initiative is the first federal

government blog geared directly to teens

and the first to allow moderated comments.

Gaya Dowling, Ph.D. 

Jennifer Elcano, M.A. 

Carol Krause, M.A.

Brian Marquis

Jessica Palmer, Ph.D. 

Anna Staton, M.P.A.

Susan Weiss, Ph.D.

IQ Solutions Sara Bellum Blog Team

Tips for Teens with Diabetes: Make 

Healthy Food Choices (Consejos para 

jóvenes con diabetes: Come alimentos 

saludables) – NIDDK 

This easy-to-read bilingual tip sheet contains

the basics about managing type 2 diabetes for

children and their families. It also includes a

list of resources for more information.

Joanne Gallivan, M.S., R.D.

Susan McDonough, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.

Elizabeth Warren-Boulton, R.N., M.S.N.

Claudia Siervo, M.A.

GOLD AWARD
10

Understanding Breast Changes: 

A Health Guide for Women – NCI 

This guide addresses the concerns of women

who get an abnormal mammogram finding or

notice a breast change. It explains important

next steps in testing, diagnosis, and treatment

when breast changes are found.

Carol Sienché, M.P.H.

Rebecca Chasan, Ph.D.

Richard Manrow, Ph.D.

Diana Blais, M.A.

Susan Spangler, Digital Art

Understanding Medical Words: 

A Tutorial from the National Library 

of Medicine – NLM 

Understanding Medical Words is for consumers

who want to learn more about what their doctor

is saying. The tutorial is a Flash movie and

includes interactive quizzes. Users learn how

to put together parts of medical words using

word roots, prefixes, and suffixes. The tutorial

includes fun tips for remembering meanings.

Naomi Miller, M.L.S.

Brooke Dine, M.S.L.S.

Stephanie Dennis, M.L.S.

Joseph Potvin 

Jeremy Markowitz

What I need to know about 

Hepatitis C – NIDDK 

This booklet is designed to help people

understand the causes, symptoms, and

treatment of hepatitis C, and learn how

to prevent hepatitis C.

Dustin Hays

Kathy Kranzfelder, M.A.

National Digestive Diseases Information 

Clearinghouse

GOLD AWARD

As scientists or administrators, you 

have all been taught the cardinal 

virtue of plain prose: If writing is 

communication, then only clear 

writing is effective communication.

■ Michael Dirda

2001 NIH Plain Language 

Awards Ceremony
11

At-A-Glance One-Page Fact Sheets – NHLBI 

The NHLBI developed eight brief fact sheets

based on existing NHLBI products. The NHLBI

and the Federal Citizens Information Center

(FCIC) bring together an array of governmental

information and services and make them accessible

to the public. Visitors of the FCIC seek timely,

practical information from trusted sources. The

one-page fact sheets are designed and written

in plain language for lay health educators and

the general public. The fact sheets include:

At-A-Glance: Lowering Your Cholesterol with

TLC; At-A-Glance: Physical Activity; At-A-Glance:

Healthy Sleep; At-A-Glance: Lowering Your Blood

Pressure with DASH; At-A-Glance: Healthy Weight;

At-A-Glance: Asthma; At-A-Glance: Coronary

Artery Disease; At-A-Glance: Atherosclerosis.

Ann Taubenheim, Ph.D.

Terri Williams, M.S.

Bigger is Better Than Just a Bad Taste 

in Your Mouth: How a Tiny Genetic 

Mutation is Helping Us Map Human 

Migration Out of Africa – NIDCD 

This feature story for INSIDE, an online

newsletter, is about an NIDCD intramural

scientist working on the genetics of taste. It

explains how genetic mutations that influence

how we taste bitterness also have the unique

ability to trace the history of human migration

out of Africa more than 70,000 years ago.   

Robin Latham

Biological Pathways – NHGRI

The Cancer Genome Atlas, a project of NCI

and NHGRI, has shed light on the fact that

cancer is not just a disease of genes but also

of biological pathways. The goal of this fact

sheet is to answer questions about biological

pathways and provide a vivid graphic that

supports the narrative, which can easily be

printed out and used in classrooms.

Geoffrey Spencer

Phyllis Frosst, Ph.D.

Marcia Triunfol, Ph.D.

Jane Ades, M.A.

Boletín del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer 

(National Cancer Institute’s Cancer 

Bulletin) – Email Correspondence – NCI 

The purpose of this bilingual email correspondence

was to welcome new subscribers to the Spanishlanguage Boletín del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer

(National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Bulletin).

The email communicated the publication’s

purpose and frequency and invited subscribers

to share the digital publication with colleagues.

This was the first communication received by

subscribers, and therefore it was important to

draft a brief but informative email.

Nelvis Castro

Nina Ghanem, M.Ed.

José L. Acosta

Jennifer Kiger, M.S.

Sebastian Roldan

SILVER AWARD
12

SILVER AWARD

Como ayudar a su hijo a controlar 

el exceso de peso (Helping Your 

Overweight Child) – NIDDK

This Spanish-language brochure provides

parents tips on how to involve the whole

family in building healthy eating and physical

activity habits and was published by the

Weight-Control Information Network.

Susan Yanovski, M.D.

Leslie Curtis, M.A.

Claudia Siervo, M.A.

Van Hubbard, M.D., Ph.D.

Cool Video: Leading Cells with 

Light – NIGMS 

This 60-second video reports on a grantee’s

finding about activating cell proteins with a

laser. It features colorful and compelling

video clips from the grantee’s journal article.

The feature appeared as the ‘Cool Video’ in

the September 2009 issue of the NIGMS

e-newsletter Biomedical Beat.

Stephanie Dutchen, S.M.

DDIR Web Board – OD 

The primary purpose of the Deputy Director

for Intramural Research Web Board is to dispel

rumors with frank discussion of NIH policy

(as seen in each ‘current issue’ section). The

Web Board also informs and entertains.

Michael Gottesman, M.D.

Christopher Wanjek, M.P.H.

El Dr. Huerta habla sobre la diabetes 

(Dr. Huerta on Diabetes) 

Radio PSA – NIDDK 

This 60-second radio PSA features Dr. Huerta

and the message that having a parent, sister

or brother with type 2 diabetes puts a person

at high risk for the disease. Other risk factors

include being overweight and age 45 or older.

Joanne Gallivan, M.S., R.D.

Eugenie Thompson

Claudia Siervo, M.A.

For People with Diabetes or High 

Blood Pressure: Get Checked for 

Kidney Disease – NIDDK 

Developed at a seventh grade-reading level, this

brochure can be distributed by health departments

and other partners to help increase awareness of

chronic kidney disease, the importance of getting

tested, and the fact that kidney disease can be treated.

Andrew Narva, M.D.

Eileen Newman, M.S., R.D.

Nancy Accetta, M.H.S., CHES

Juanita Thompson 
13

Instantáneas de Cáncer 

(Cancer Snapshots) – NCI

The Instantáneas de Cáncer (Cancer Snapshots)

are Spanish translations of disease-focused

electronic fact sheets that provide information

from NCI on disease incidence and mortality,

NCI funding, relevant activities, and recent

scientific advances. These web-based documents

incorporate hyperlinks to additional information

resources for a broad, and now more diverse,

user audience.

Elizabeth Hsu, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Duilio Correa, M.A.

José L. Acosta, M.A.

James Corrigan, Ph.D.

Lisa Stevens, Ph.D.

Jonas Brothers Radio PSA – NIDDK 

This 60-second radio Public Service

Announcement features the Jonas Brothers

and how they support Nick, who has diabetes.

It emphasizes the importance of learning to

manage diabetes, avoiding complications,

and having family support for a person

with the disease.

Joanne Gallivan, M.S., R.D.

Eugenie Thompson

Kidney Sundays: A Toolkit – NIDDK 

The National Kidney Disease Education Program

created Kidney Sundays, a faith-based initiative

designed to increase awareness about chronic

kidney disease in the African American community

and encourage those at risk to get tested. The

Kidney Sundays Toolkit was developed because

African Americans increasingly are turning to

places of worship to get accurate and useful

information about issues that uniquely affect

their community. The online Toolkit provides

faith-based organizations with everything they

need to incorporate kidney health messages in

their programs.

Eileen Newman, M.S, R.D.

Vickie Jones

Anna Zawislanski, M.P.H.

Juanita Thompson

SILVER AWARD

When you write about a topic you are 

familiar with, don’t fall into familiar jargon.

■ Cokie Roberts

2003 NIH Plain Language 

Awards Ceremony
14

Media-Smart Youth: The Essentials 

Facilitator’s Guide – NICHD 

This interactive, afterschool educational

program, adapted from the full Media-Smart

Youth curriculum, was created for National

Council of Negro Women (NCNW) community

leaders to help young people ages 11 to 13

understand the complex media world around

them and how it can influence their health,

especially in regard to nutrition and physical

activity. The NICHD dedicates this award to

Dr. Dorothy Height, President Emerita of

NCNW, who died in April 2010, for the

spirit and energy she infused into the

collaboration that went into these

materials and all her endeavors.

Marianne Glass Miller

Elyse Cohen, M.P.H.

Ronne Ostby-Malling, M.A.

NEI-NASA Team Up for Early Cataract 

Detection Tool – NEI 

This feature story explains an NEI-NASA

research collaboration that resulted in the

translation of basic science discoveries into

a clinical device for early cataract detection.

Allyson Collins, M.S.

NIAID Global Research: Improving Health 

in a Changing World – NIAID 

The purpose of this brochure is to help NIAID

initiate new international collaborations in

response to the worldwide impact of diseases

such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria,

as well as the global threats posed by emerging

infections such as pandemic influenza. It aims

to facilitate discourse between NIAID and

potential partners within the public, private,

and nonprofit sectors.

Paul Williams

NIH MedlinePlus, Diabetes Section – Fall 

2009 – NLM 

During National Diabetes Awareness Month, NIH 

MedlinePlus magazine highlighted diabetes and

steps for prevention and treatment. The magazine

showcased two national education campaigns

promoted by the NIH/NIDDK/NDEP and the

American Diabetes Association. Six personal

stories from people with diabetes showed how

the disease can be controlled for a healthier life.

Christopher Klose

Selby Bateman, M.A.

Joanne Gallivan, M.S., R.D.

Joan Chamberlain 

Patricia Carson

Kathleen Cravedi, M.S.

Elliot Siegel, Ph.D.

Naomi Miller, M.L.S.

Peter Reinecke

Shana Potash

SILVER AWARD
15

NIH News in Health – OD 

This free monthly newsletter provides practical

health information based on NIH research

and explains how NIH’s medical discoveries

improve health and save lives.

Harrison Wein, Ph.D.

Vicki Contie, M.A. 

Margaret Georgiann

Bryan Ewsichek

NIH Research Matters – OD 

This online weekly highlights important

NIH-funded research studies published in

peer-reviewed journals.

Harrison Wein, Ph.D.

Vicki Contie, M.A. 

Alyson M. Olander 

Sara R. Cohen

NINDS Know Stroke Website – NINDS 

NINDS’s newly redesigned Know Stroke website

offers a wealth of free public information on

stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation,

and resources for health care professionals

including brochures, radio PSAs, videos, and

posters. The website is part of the NINDS

national public education campaign: ‘Know

Stroke. Know the Signs. Act in Time.’

Marian Emr

Margo Warren

Ruth Shapiro

Palliative Care: The Relief You 

Need When You’re Experiencing the 

Symptoms of Serious Illness – NINR 

This brochure, written and disseminated to

increase awareness of palliative care among

patient and care giving populations, health

care providers, the general public, and the

media, improves understanding of what

palliative care is, who it benefits, and

how those suffering pain and distressing

symptoms can get the relief they need.

Elisa Gladstone, M.P.H

Melissa Barrett, M.P.H

Proteins Linked to Congenital Deafness 

Help Build, Maintain Stereocilia in the 

Inner Ear – NIDCD 

This news article was written for the NIDCD

website to increase public awareness of a

recently published study by NIDCD scientists

that helps explain how two key proteins help

build and maintain stereocilia in the inner ear.

Jennifer Wenger, M.A.

SILVER AWARD

I try to leave out the parts that people skip.

■ Elmore Leonard 
16

The Chemistry of Health – NIGMS 

This booklet describes how basic chemistry

and biochemistry research spur a better

understanding of human health. The booklet

serves as a gateway to expanded online content

including scientist profiles, videos, games, and

a classroom poster, and is intended for high

school and early college students and teachers.

Alison Davis, Ph.D.

Stephanie Dutchen, S.M.

Srivalli Subbaramaiah

The Edge of Discovery: A Portrait 

of the National Institute of Allergy 

and Infectious Diseases – NIAID

This booklet communicates a broad overview

of the Institute’s research activities, the role

of these activities in the development of new

vaccines, treatments, and diagnostic tools

for infectious and immune-related diseases,

and why NIAID’s work is important to

human health.

Courtney Billet

Cynthia Fabry, M.B.A.

Robert Taylor, Ph.D.

Watermark Design

Utilice los datos de la etiqueta 

de nutrición (We Can! Using the 

Nutrition Facts Label) – NHLBI 

This resource information originally developed

for the ‘We Can! Energize Our Families: Parent

Program: A Leader’s Guide,’ is now available as

a stand-alone tip sheet, translated into Spanish,

for families and communities. It offers guidance

for the public on how to read and interpret

the diverse information contained on the

Nutrition Facts Label.

Karen Donato, S.M.

Matilde Alvarado, R.N., M.S.

Gloria Ortiz

What Can Prevent Walking Disability 

in Older People? – NIA 

This press release announced a national,

multi-site clinical trial designed to determine

whether a physical activity program may stave

off disability in older people.

Barbara Cire

Vicky Cahan

SILVER AWARD

Using plain language does not mean dumbing down, just 

as using complicated jargon does not mean smarting up.

■ Rita Rubin

2007 NIH Plain Language Awards Ceremony
17

What to Share with Your Doctor 

Video – NIA 

Through interviews with a 91-year-old patient,

his doctor, and a geriatrician, this short video

describes issues older patients should be

willing to share with their doctors including,

symptoms, medications, habits and lifestyle,

sensitive subjects, and other concerns. The video

appears in the Talking with Your Doctor topic on

NIHSeniorHealth.gov.

Stephanie Dailey, M.A.

Karen Pocinki, M.A.

Vicky Cahan 

What You Need To Know About Liver 

Cancer – NCI 

This 42-page booklet helps liver cancer patients

take an active role in making choices about their

care. The booklet features questions to ask the

doctor, a dictionary, a medical illustration, and

pictures of a patient talking to a doctor about

participating in cancer research.

Geriann Piazza, M.A. 

Rebecca Chasan, Ph.D. 

Itzhak Avital, M.D. 

Donald Bliss, M.A., National Library of Medicine

Jeanne Kelly, Aardvark Design Associates 

Susan Spangler, Digital Art

Inherently, all stories are personal. The only way a story can be 

personal to anyone else is if it is first personal to the writer.

■ Jon Spelman, 2008 NIH Plain Language Awards Ceremony

SILVER AWARD
18

50 Years of Protein Structure 

Determination – NIGMS

This interactive timeline celebrates 50 years

of major advances in the field of structural

biology. Readers can go back in time decade

by decade to learn about major developments,

see pictures, and find citations.

Emily Carlson, M.A.

Erin Fults

Camille Haylock

Jason Suter

Ward Smith, Ph.D.

John Norvell, Ph.D.

Jeremy Berg, Ph.D. 

Paula Flicker, Ph.D.

Ravi Basavappa, Ph.D.

Charles Edmonds, Ph.D.

Peter Preusch, Ph.D.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Unraveling the 

Mystery – NIA 

This 80-page book describes the basics of

the healthy brain; illustrates the changes

that occur in Alzheimer’s; and highlights

findings from recent research into the causes

of AD, new developments in diagnosis, and

the search for new treatments. It addresses

issues of concern to caregivers and families

and helps readers understand its impact

on individuals and society. The book also

explains research advances to prevent or

diminish the effects of the disease.

Anne Rodgers, M.A.

Susan Farrer, M.A.

Jennifer Watson, M.A.

Karen Pocinki, M.A.

Vicky Cahan

ARRA: Helping a Few to Teach the 

Many – NIDCR

This article reports on NIDCR’s use of ARRA

funds to enable two high school science teachers

to spend their summer in a biomedical research

lab. Quotes allow readers to hear directly from

the teachers and their mentor about the impact

of spending a summer in a research setting.

Bob Kuska, M.S.J.

BRONZE AWARD

All Clear Language Alert: Clear...as 

a bell. Utterly transparent, like a cool 

mountain stream. Really, really beautiful.

■ Susan Dentzer

2002 NIH Plain Language 

Awards Ceremony 
19

Delay in Diagnosis of Menopause-Like 

Condition in Young Women Linked to 

Low Bone Density – OD

This NIH Radio Audio Report, also featured

in the NIH Research Radio podcast, describes

a recent study which found that a delay in

diagnosing a menopause-like condition in

women and young girls is linked to low bone

density. The condition may increase risk for

osteoporosis and fractures later in life.

Belle Waring, R.N., M.F.A.

Diabetes Numbers at-a-Glance – NIDDK 

This pocket guide, based on the most current

American Diabetes Association clinical

recommendations, provides a quick reference

list of current recommendations to diagnose

and manage pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Joanne Gallivan, M.S., R.D.

Elizabeth Warren-Boulton, R.N., M.S.N.

Epigenomics Fact Sheet – NHGRI 

This educational fact sheet provides a brief

overview of epigenomics, the study of how

our environment interacts with our DNA.

Laura Bonetta, Ph.D.

Rebecca Kolberg, M.S.

Alan Hoofring

Explaining GFR: A Tear-off Pad for 

Clinical Use (Vietnamese-Language 

Version) – NIDDK 

This educational tool was developed to help

health care providers explain GFR results

to their Vietnamese-speaking patients. The

easy-to-read tear sheet for patients includes:

basic kidney information; an area for providers

to fill in results; a diagram to help explain

GFR results; and tips for keeping the kidneys

healthy. The back of the pad gives providers

simple talking points in Vietnamese to use

with patients.

Eileen Newman, M.S., R.D.

Karen Goldstein, M.P.H.

Eye on NEI – NEI 

This monthly online news magazine gives

science-minded readers an inside look at the

vision research process, from the laboratory

bench to the patient’s bedside. The articles are

written using active voice and concise paragraphs

to engage readers. Stories are complemented by a

clean layout with captivating images and videos.

Allyson Collins, M.S.

Noemi Lucciola

BRONZE AWARD

Sloppiness can throw an entire piece into question. Verify 

all facts and go that extra mile to go back and check again.

■ Judith Viorst

2005 NIH Plain Language Awards Ceremony
20

BRONZE AWARD

Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance 

Science, Magic, and Medicine – NLM

This exhibition website examines the

intersection between the Harry Potter novels

and Renaissance traditions that played an

important role in the development of Western

science, including alchemy, astrology, and

natural philosophy. The exhibition highlights

NLM’s rare book collections and uses the

popular excitement for Harry Potter as an

entry point to share the history of science.

Elizabeth Bland

Jiwon Kim

Healthy Aging: Lessons from the 

Baltimore Longitudinal Study of 

Aging – NIA 

This booklet describes how the 50-year-old

Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)

has transformed what we know about normal

aging and aging well. The booklet offers

research-based recommendations for healthy

aging. Archival photos from the BLSA,

juxtaposed with images of nature, enhance

the content.

Megan Homer, M.A.

Lena Markley, Levine & Associates, Inc. 

Luigi Ferrucci, M.D., Ph.D.

Freddi Karp, M.P.A

Vicky Cahan 

Honor the Past, Learn for the Future: 

Reduce the Risk of SIDS in Native 

Babies – NICHD 

This flyer is intended to raise awareness about

reducing the risks for SIDS in infants among

Native communities.

Christina Stile, M.A.P.W., E.L.S.

Shavon Artis, M.P.H. 

Native American Management Services, Inc. 

Healthy Native Babies Project Workgroup

Joint Replacement Surgery (Cirugía de 

reemplazo articular) – NIAMS 

Joint Replacement Surgery (Cirugía de reemplazo

articular) is an illustrated bilingual booklet on

joint replacement surgery. It informs potential

surgical patients about the benefits and potential

complications of surgery and describes what a

joint is, why surgery might be needed, explains

preparation and recovery, and current research.

Marcia Vital, M.S. 

Mimi Lising, M.P.H.

Sara Rosario Wilson 

Richard Clark, M. Div.

Learning from Sharks: Identifying 

Natural Anticancer Products Found 

in the Body – OD

This article, which appeared in The NIH Catalyst,

highlights how NIH scientists have identified

unique characteristics in animal cartilage that

could be exploited to slow or stop cancer growth.

Vanessa McMains, Ph.D.
21

BRONZE AWARD

Lo que usted debe saber sobre 

las medicinas para la diabetes 

(What You Need to Know About 

Diabetes Medicines) – NIDDK 

This Spanish-language booklet provides

information about each type of diabetes

medicine, separate information sheets for

each drug, and lists of questions for people

to ask about their medicines.

Judy Fradkin, M.D.

Kathy Kranzfelder, M.A. 

Vince Serrano 

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

Voices for Health 

Lo que usted debe saber sobre los pólipos 

en el colon (What You Need to Know 

About Polyps in the Colon) – NIDDK 

This Spanish-language booklet is designed to

help people understand the characteristics and

symptoms of colon polyps, learn who is more

likely to have colon polyps, and understand

tests and treatments.

Carol Kennedy, R.N., M.A.

Kathy Kranzfelder, M.A.

Vince Serrano 

National Digestive Diseases Information 

Clearinghouse

Voices for Health 

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness 

Day Statement – NIAID 

This statement communicates the value of

studying HIV in the context of aging. It highlights

NIH research underway in this field and NIH

funding opportunities on HIV and aging.

Laura Sivitz, M.S.J.

NCCAM Director’s Messages – NCCAM

The NCCAM Director’s Messages provide a voice

‘beyond the science’ to help readers understand

the context of scientific findings, articles in

the press, and topics unique to NCCAM. These

messages also educate readers in a more personal

way than a fact sheet or other traditional

communication, and are often referenced

in external blogs, tweets, and websites.

Josephine Briggs, M.D.

To get to the best communication possible, 

cut through the subject matter...

■ Berkey Belser

2006 NIH Plain Language 

Awards Ceremony
22

BRONZE AWARD

Fiscal Year 2008 Fact Book: 

A Year in Review – NIAID 

NIAID’s Fiscal Year 2008 Fact Book provides

an overview of the Institute’s research and

budgetary activities. An annual publication, this

year’s Fact Book highlights selected scientific

accomplishments and summarizes the policies,

programs, and mechanisms that enable the

Institute to support research and training

activities critical to advancing NIAID’s mission.

Nahid Akhyani

David A. Kosub, Ph.D.

Jane Lockmuller, M.S.

Judit O’Connor, M.A.

Yolly P. Shubrick

Cheryl Silver

Anne S. Tatem, M.P.A.

NIGMS Feedback Loop – NIGMS

Formerly an e-newsletter, the NIGMS Feedback

Loop launched as a blog in April 2009 to

share NIGMS funding opportunities, meetings,

resources and other useful information with

grantees, applicants and others in the scientific

community. Readers have the opportunity

to comment and engage NIGMS and the

community in constructive conversation.

Jeremy M. Berg, Ph.D. 

Emily Carlson, M.A. 

Feedback Loop Contributors

NIH Announces American Recovery 

and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funding 

Opportunities – NCRR 

This NIH/NCRR news release announced the

$1 billion in Recovery Act funds available for

extramural core facilities and other construction,

renovation or repair awards. Nearly 1,200

applications were received and a total of

146 grants were awarded.

Cindy McConnell

NIH Research Radio Podcast – 

Episode 83 – OD

More and more people are turning to new

media sources like podcasts. Podcasts are

technologically accessible and can reach the

general public through computers, personal

media players, like an iPod, or pod-catchers

like iTunes. The NIH Research Radio Podcast

provides consistent programming for this

growing audience. Episode 83 is an example

of the presentation of health topics important

to the American public, explained in lay terms,

and featuring spokespersons like Drs. Fauci,

Clayton and Volkow.

Joe Balintfy

Dorie Hightower

Woleola Akinso
23

BRONZE AWARD

NIH, Wikipedia Join Forces to Improve 

Online Health – OD 

This newsletter article with sidebar covers

the first ever Wikipedia Academy held in

the United States.

Carla Garnett, M.A.

Rethinking Drinking Website – NIAAA 

The Rethinking Drinking Website has two

major goals: To educate people about “how

much is too much” when it comes to alcohol,

and to support them in making a change if

they are drinking too much.

Maureen Gardner

Mark Willenbring, M.D.

Diane Miller, M.P.A.

The NIH Library: Renovated and 

Reinvented – OD

This article in The NIH Catalyst relays

information about the NIH library renovation

and also presents a philosophical discussion

on the nature and need for modern

research libraries.

Christopher Wanjek, M.P.H.

Understanding Targeted Therapies – NCI 

This animated Web tutorial (and DVD) educates

health professionals about the three main types

of targeted therapies now available to treat

cancer. Targeted therapies are new treatment

approaches that take advantage of information

gained from studying the genomic profiles of

individual cancerous growths. These profiles

reveal molecular pathways in some cancers that

are critical to successful growth and metastasis.

Oncologists treat patients with agents that target

these critical pathways.

Donna Kerrigan, M.S.

Michelle Bennett, Ph.D. 

Erin Milliken, Ph.D.

Richard Manrow, P.h.D.

Rebecca Chasan, Ph.D.

Mike Miller

Cancer.gov Web Team

Julia Wolf-Rodda 

Medicom Digital, Inc.

What I Need to Know about Peptic Ulcers 

– NIDDK 

This booklet is designed to help people understand

the causes, symptoms, and treatment of peptic

ulcers, and also learn how to prevent them.

Patrick Zickler

Kathy Kranzfelder, M.A.

National Digestive Diseases Information 

Clearinghouse

It is possible to be really clear, to 

the point, effective and short.

■ Joe Palca, 2004 NIH Plain 

Language Awards Ceremony
24

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Jeff Howe

Author, Crowdsourcing: 

Why the Power of the Crowd Is 

Driving the Future of Business

Jeff Howe is a contributing editor at Wired 

magazine, where he covers the media and

entertainment industry, among other subjects.

In June of 2006 he published “The Rise of

Crowdsourcing” in Wired. He has continued

to cover the phenomenon in his blog,

crowdsourcing.com, and in August 2008

Crown Business published Crowdsourcing: 

Why the Power of the Crowd Is Driving the 

Future of Business.

Before coming to Wired he was a senior

editor at Inside.com and a writer at the

Village Voice. In his fifteen years as a

journalist he has traveled around the

world working on stories ranging from

the impending water crisis in Central

Asia to the implications of gene patenting.

He has written for U.S. News & World 

Report, The Washington Post, Mother Jones

and numerous other publications. He lives

in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter

Annabel Rose and son Phineas and a

miniature black lab named Clementine.
25

PREVIOUS CEREMONY SPEAKERS

2009–Jonathan Capehart

Editorial Writer for The Washington Post

Capehart specializes in national politics

and environmental issues, and joined The 

Washington Post editorial board in 2007.

He was a member of the New York Daily 

News’ editorial board and was National

Affairs Columnist for Bloomberg News.

Capehart also was a policy adviser to Michael

Bloomberg in his successful campaign for

Mayor of New York City. He returned to the

Daily News as Deputy Editor of the editorial

page. In 1999, Capehart and the Daily News

editorial board won the Pulitzer Prize for

Editorial Writing for their editorial series

on the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

2008–Jon Spelman

Award-Winning, Internationally-Renowned 

Storyteller

Spelman has been a Featured Teller at the

National Storytelling Festival and regularly

performs at colleges, theaters, and festivals

around the world. He has received many

awards, including Children’s Radio Award,

an Achievement in Children’s Television

Award, and two Emmys presented by the

Washington Chapter of the National Academy

of Television Arts & Sciences. He is a winner

of the prestigious Circle of Excellence Award

from the National Storytelling Network.

2007–Rita Rubin

Award-Winning Medical Reporter for 

USA Today, Author

Rubin is a medical reporter for USA Today.

She previously covered medicine for U.S. 

News & World Report, The Dallas Morning 

News, the Columbus Citizen-Journal and the

Fort Lauderdale News and Sun Sentinel, and

has written for a number of magazines and

websites. She is the author of What If I Have 

a C-Section?, published in 2004. Rubin has

won both the Exceptional Merit Media Award

from the National Women’s Political Caucus

and the Wyeth-Ayerst Award for Women’s

Health Reporting.

2006–Berkey Belser

Award-Winning Graphic Designer, Author

Belser is a graphic designer best known for his

design of the Nutrition Facts Label that appears

on all packaged foods in the United States.

He is widely known for the pioneering work

in legal advertising that earned him a Lifetime

Achievement Award from the Legal Marketing

Association. Belser authored 25 Years of Legal 

Branding (Sunnyside Press) published in 2004.

He has won hundreds of awards in every major

field of graphic design.
26

2005–Judith Viorst

Award-Winning Journalist, Poet, 

Novelist, Author

Viorst is a journalist, psychoanalysis researcher,

and the author of several works of fiction and

non-fiction for children and adults. She is

the recipient of numerous awards and her

non-fiction classic, Necessary Losses, appeared

on The New York Times best-seller list for

nearly two years.

2004–Joe Palca

Award-Winning Science Correspondent 

for National Public Radio

Since joining NPR in 1992, Palca has

covered a range of science topics ranging

from biomedical research to astronomy.

Palca has won numerous awards, including

the National Academies Communications

Award, the Science-in-Society Award of the

National Association of Science Writers,

the American Chemical Society James T.

Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting

Chemistry for the Public, and the American

Association for the Advancement of Science

Journalism Prize.

2003–Cokie Roberts

Award-Winning Journalist, Political 

Commentator, News Analyst

Roberts is a senior news analyst for NPR,

where she was the congressional correspondent

for more than ten years. Roberts also is a

political commentator for ABC News, providing

analysis for all network news programming.

In her more than 40 years in broadcasting,

she has won countless awards, including three

Emmys and was cited by the American Women 

in Radio and Television as one of the 50 greatest

women in the history of broadcasting.

2002–Susan Dentzer

Editor-in-Chief of Health Affairs and On-Air 

Analyst for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

Dentzer is an on-air analyst on health issues

with The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, which

airs on the Public Broadcasting Service. At

The NewsHour, Dentzer has been the recipient

of multiple awards. In 2007, she received the

American Society on Aging National Media

Award for a two-part series on our current

understanding of the causes of Alzheimer’s

disease, efforts under way to speed treatments

to patients, and the enormous burden faced

by caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. She is

Editor-in-Chief of Health Affairs: The Policy 

Journal of the Health Sphere, based in

Bethesda, Maryland.

PREVIOUS CEREMONY SPEAKERS
27

2001–Michael Dirda

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Critic, 

The Washington Post

Dirda, a longtime staff writer for The Washington 

Post Book World, received the 1993 Pulitzer Prize

for criticism. Two collections of Dirda’s literary

journalism have been published: Readings: Essays 

and Literary Entertainments and Bound to Please.

He has also written Book by Book: Notes on 

Reading and Life, Classics for Pleasure, and the

autobiographical An Open Book: Coming of Age 

in the Heartland.

PREVIOUS CEREMONY SPEAKERS
28

Wally Akinso, OD

Carla Alvarez, OD

Neyal Ammary-Risch, NEI

Shuly Babitz, NIAAA

Richard Barnes, CIT

Tony Beck, NCRR

Ann Benner, OBSSR

Patricia Blessing, NIDCD 

Ann Brewer, OD

Stephanie Burrows, NHLBI

Emily Carlson, NIGMS

Laura Carter, OD

Kym Collins-Lee, NEI

Megan Columbus, OD

Vicki Contie, OD

Kathy Cravedi, NLM

Louise Cunningham, NCI

Josseline de Saint Just, NLM

Stephanie Dailey, NIA

Laurie Doepel, NIAID

Nancy Eng, NHLBI

Bonnie Flock, OD

Sarah Freeman, OD

Craig Fritz, OD

Carla Garnett, OD

Paul Girolami. NINDS

Gerda Gallop-Goodman, NIAMS

Jean Horrigan, NEI

Linda Huss, NEI

Dawn Johnson, NIMH

Lisa Kaesar, NICHD

Shirley LaBella, OD

Valerie Lambros, OD

Robin Latham, NIDCD

Robert Logan, NLM

Ann London, NIAID

Don Luckett, CSR

Robin Mackar, NIEHS

Lisa Marshall, OD

Barbara Marzetta, NHLBI

Robert Miranda-Acevedo, NIDCD

Jilliene Mitchell, NIGMS

Melanie Modlin, NLM

Shelly Pollard, NCRR

Ann Poritzky, OD

Moniqua Roberts, OD

Cheryl Silver, NIAID

Susan Scolnik, NHLBI

Geoff Spencer, NHGRI

Christina Stile, NICHD

Jeff Swarz, NCI

Margo Warren, NINDS

Jenny Wenger, NIDCD

Sara Rosario Wilson, NIAMS

Special thanks to the 2009-2010 NIH Plain Language/Clear Communication Reviewers 

for their commitment of time and energy to the NIH Plain Language/Clear 

Communication Awards Program. The reviewers represent a cross section of 

NIH Institutes and Centers and demonstrate expertise in clear communication.

Special Thanks to

Carlos Pavão, NIH Director’s Council of Public Representatives

Review of Chinese and Vietnamese-language Products

Ronnie Chan, NLM

Nga Nguyen, NHLBI

For more information on Plain Language and Clear Communication at the NIH: 

http://www.nih.gov/clearcommunication

For questions and comments, please contact: plainlanguage@od.nih.gov
29

CC NIH Clinical Center

CIT Center for Information Technology

CSR Center for Scientific Review

FIC Fogarty International Center

NCCAM National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

NCI National Cancer Institute

NCMHD National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities

NCRR National Center for Research Resources

NEI National Eye Institute

NHGRI National Human Genome Research Institute

NHLBI National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

NIA National Institute on Aging

NIAAA National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

NIAID National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

NIAMS National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

NIBIB National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

NICHD National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

NIDA National Institute on Drug Abuse

NIDCD National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

NIDCR National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

NIDDK National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

NIEHS National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

NIGMS National Institute of General Medical Sciences

NIMH National Institute of Mental Health

NINDS National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

NINR National Institute of Nursing Research

NLM National Library of Medicine

OD Office of the Director

OAR Office of AIDS Research

OBSSR Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research

OCPL Office of Communications and Public Liaison

ODP Office of Disease Prevention

OER Office of Extramural Research

OIR Office of Intramural Research

ORS Office of Research Services

ORWH Office of Research on Women’s Health

OSC Office of Strategic Coordination

ACRONYMS
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services • National Institutes of Health

Do not put statements in the negative form.

And don’t start sentences with a conjunction.

If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a

great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.

Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.

Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.

De-accession euphemisms.

If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.

Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.

Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.

— William Safire, “Great Rules of Writing”