Celebrating Plain Language 


National Institutes of Health
 

June 2, 2009
 
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 

■

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

 

 

Celebrating Plain Language 


National Institutes of Health
 

Lipsett Amphitheater
 

June 2, 2009
 

Welcome and Special Recognition of Volunteers John T. Burklow 

Associate Director for Communications 

and Public Liaison, NIH 

Opening Remarks Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D. 

Acting Director, NIH 

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

Deputy Associate Director for 

Communications and Public Liaison, NIH 

Keynote Speaker Jonathan Capehart 

Award-Winning Editorial Writer 

for The Washington Post 

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. 

1
 
GOLD AWARD 

A Guide to Your Genome – NHGRI 

This brochure uses plain language and 

colorful graphics to answer important 

questions of: What’s a genome? What does 

my genome have to do with my health? 

The brochure provides a basic framework 

for understanding how advances in genome 

research may touch lives. 

Bijal Trivedi, M.S., M.A.
 

Rebecca Kolberg, M.S.
 

Jane Ades, M.A.
 

Computing Life – NIGMS 

This education booklet features short articles, 

colorful graphics, and fun sidebars to show 

students how computers are enhancing our 

understanding of biology and health. 

Emily Carlson, M.A.
 

Alison Davis, Ph.D.
 

Alisa Machalek, M.S.
 

Jilline Mitchell
 

Susan Gaidos
 

David Bochner
 

The shorter and the plainer the better. 

■ Beatrix Potter 

Control del dolor: Apoyo para las 

personas con cáncer (Pain Control: 

Support for People With Cancer) – NCI 

This booklet, a translation of Pain Control: 

Support for People With Cancer, provides 

culturally sensitive information regarding 

pain control for cancer patients who use 

Spanish as their primary language. Topics 

include medicines and side effects, 

communication, pain control methods, 

and coping with physical and emotional 

effects of pain. 

Louise Cunningham, M.P.H.
 

Silvia Salazar, M.P.A.
 

Susan Spangler
 

Scott Van Til, Voices for Health
 

End of Life: Helping with Comfort 

and Care – NIA 

This booklet is written in a compassionate 

tone and features large print, helpful questions 

to ask, and resources for families and friends 

of older people nearing the end of life. 

Karin L. Kolsky 

Freddi Karp 

Vicky Cahan 

Lena Markley 

2
 
Group Education Program on Heart 

Health for Filipino Americans – NHLBI 

This teaching manual offers lay health 

educators and community health workers 

an eleven-session course on heart health and 

how to reduce risk factors prevalent among 

American Filipinos. Teaching scripts, learning 

activities, reproducible handouts, full color 

picture cards, and associated talking points 

in Tagalog and English help the leader 

explain facts and reinforce key heart 

disease prevention messages. 

Violet Ryo-Hwa Woo, M.S., M.P.H. 

Healthy Moments – NIDDK 

Through this radio series, Dr. Griffin Rodgers 

provides tips to prevent and control diseases 

of interest to the NIDDK. The reports air on 

Majic 102.3 FM and are posted on the Majic 

and NIDDK websites. 

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

Elizabeth H. Singer, M.S. 

Wendy Starman Papier, M.S. 

Toni A. Campbell 

Calvin D. Jackson 

Joseph K. Balintfy 

Woleola O. Akinso 

GOLD AWARD 

It’s a Noisy Planet: Protect Their Hearing 

– NIDCD 

This new public education campaign teaches 

parents of children ages 8 to 12 (“tweens”) 

about the causes of noise-induced hearing loss. 

With this information, parents can encourage 

children to adopt healthy habits that will help 

them protect their hearing for life. 

Patricia Blessing 

Jennifer Wenger, M.A. 

Melinda Moyer, M.S. 

Charlotte Ball, M.P.A. 

Sharon Judge 

It’s Time for Addiction Science to 

Supersede Stigma – NIDA 

The stigma associated with substance use 

disorders poses a huge obstacle to the effective 

translation of science-based principles into 

practice. This commentary was written to 

capture the cultural, scientific, and policy 

dimensions of this complex issue and to 

frame the smart, forward-looking strategies 

we need to put in motion in order to move 

past the stigma. 

Nora Volkow, M.D. 

Ruben Baler, Ph.D. 

Susan Weiss, Ph.D. 

Gaya Dowling, Ph.D. 

Jessica Palmer, Ph.D. 

Jennifer Elcano, M.A. 

3
 
GOLD AWARD 

Living with Huntington’s – NIGMS 

As part of a magazine called Findings that 

encourages high school students to pursue 

scientific careers, this article profiles a 

researcher whose persistence and compassion 

will one day help people living with a 

devastating genetic disease. 

Emily Carlson, M.A. 

Making and Maintaining Muscle: How 

Much Protein Do You Need – OD 

This article, featured in NIH News in Health, 

addresses the popular notion that most 

Americans need to eat more protein. NIH 

News in Health is written for people interested 

in improving their own health, or that of 

family, friends, and the community. 

Harrison Wein, Ph.D. 

If you tell a story, start at the 

beginning and when you reach 

the end, stop. 

■ Jon Spelman 

Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects – 

NCI 

This series of eighteen one-page fact sheets help 

cancer patients prevent or manage side effects 

from treatment. With the goal of increasing 

quality of life during treatment and encouraging 

conversations between patients and providers, 

these fact sheets were pilot tested and appreciated 

by both patients and health care providers. 

Carol Heather Sienche, M.P.H.
 

Jann Keenan, Ed.S. 


Rose Mary Padberg, R.N., M.A.
 

Sophie Grasmeder, R.N., B.S.N., O.C.N.
 

Silvia Salazar, M.P.A.
 

Susan Spangler
 

Diana Blais, M.A.
 

Daryl McGrath, M.A.
 

NCI Graphic Standards Manual – NCI 

This manual serves as a written guideline 

for the design and production of all print 

and electronic media graphics for NCI. The 

guideline establishes and reinforces the graphic 

integrity of NCI, which disseminates critical 

cancer information throughout the world. 

Donna Bonner, M.S.P.M. 

Del Harrod 

Paul LaMasters 

Walter Burroughs 

Jeanne Kelly, Aardvark Design Associates 

Kathy Hollen, Composition Services, Inc. 

Howard Clare, Creative Communications 

4
 
NCRR E-Newsletter – NCRR 

This e-newsletter fosters communication, 

collaboration and resource sharing in areas 

of current interest to scientists and the public. 

More than 2,400 subscribers include NCRR 

grantees, as well as, other stakeholders in 

research, such as leaders in academia, 

industry, voluntary health organizations, 

patient advocacy groups and scientific 

professional societies, policy makers, 

and science teachers. 

Craig Hicks 

Joyce McDonald 

Robert Schneider Jr. 

Lamont Williams 

NCRR Overview: Harnessing Innovation 

to Enhance Human Health – NCRR 

This presentation, posted on the NCRR 

website for researchers, policy makers, patient 

advocacy groups, and other stakeholders in 

research, illustrates NCRR’s wide reach and 

resources that support biomedical research, 

and why NCRR’s work is important to human 

health. It also introduces the role of NCRR in 

bringing researchers together to spark ideas 

and collaborations through shared knowledge 

and resources. 

Cindy Caughman, M.P.H. 

Craig Hicks 

Joyce McDonald 

Lori Mulligan, M.P.H. 

David Timpane 

GOLD AWARD 

NCRR Reporter – NCRR 

The NCRR Reporter showcases how 

collaboration and resource sharing among 

scientists, institutions, and communities 

lead to advances in health research. It 

illustrates how basic, translational, and 

clinical research leads to improvements 

in human health. The magazine presents 

technical content in a manner that is 

understandable to non-scientific audiences. 

Laura Bonetta, Ph.D. 

Terry LaMotte 

Joyce McDonald 

Karen Welter 

Lamont Williams 

NIDCD Anniversary Special Section of 

NIH Medline Plus Magazine – NIDCD 

This special section serves to mark the 20th 

anniversary of NIDCD. It provides practical 

health tips and illustrates the impact of 

NIDCD research through the personal 

stories of people who have benefited by 

this research. 

Linda Joy 

Patricia Blessing 

Kathy Cravedi, M.S. 

Chris Klose 

5
 
GOLD AWARD
 

NIDCR Website – NIDCR 

NIDCR’s new website is quick and easy for 

users to find the information they need. 

Guided by audience research and extensive 

usability testing, the site features simplified 

navigation with fewer clicks to accomplish 

key tasks, an “A to Z” index, new content, 

and a user-friendly graphic design. 

Jody Dove 

Karina Boehm, M.P.H. 

Cari Wolfson 

Bob Bailey, Ph.D. 

Richard Barnes 

NIH News in Health – OD 

This free monthly newsletter provides 

practical health information based on NIH 

research and explains how NIH’s medical 

discoveries help improve the nation’s health 

and save lives. The publication is available 

on the NIH News in Health website. 

Harrison Wein, Ph.D. 

Vicki Contie, M.A. 

NIH News in Health (February 2008) – OD 

This issue offers whimsical illustrations 

and creatively uses two colors, rendering 

the stories interesting and easy to read. 

Simple definitions in side boxes explain 

terms readers may not understand. 

“Wise Choices” side boxes contain 

useful health tips. 

Harrison Wein, Ph.D. 

Vicki Contie, M.A. 

Pain Control: Support for People 

with Cancer (English version) – NCI 

This booklet provides comprehensive 

information for cancer patients about 

pain control. Topics include pain control 

methods, medicines and their side effects, 

communication, and coping with the 

physical and emotional effects of pain. 

Louise Cunningham, M.P.H. 

Lori Keesey 

Susan Spangler 

When something can be read without great effort, 

great effort has gone into its writing. 

■ Enrique Jardial Poncela 

6
 
 

 

Science Serving People Website – NCI 

This website is designed to communicate 

to NCI’s many constituencies how NCI 

conducts science, manages its budget, 

and prepares for future years. It provides 

transparency and insight into NCI’s priorities 

and decision-making. 

Shannon K. Bell, M.S.W. 

Kevin Broun, M.L.I.S. 

Jeanette Contreras 

Louise Cunningham, M.P.H. 

Susan Erickson 

Marcus Frank 

Brooke Hamilton Leggin 

Sabrina Islam-Rahman 

Jane A. Jacobs, M.S. 

Star A. Kline 

Anne Lubenow 

Anne Middleswarth 

Weston Ricks 

GOLD AWARD
 

Senior-Friendly Public Service 

Announcement for Website – NIA 

In this animated public service announcement, 

an elderly man encourages older adults to 

put aside the notion that computers aren’t 

for them and encourages them to check out 

NIHSeniorHealth.gov, a senior-friendly website. 

Vicky Cahan 


Kathleen Cravedi, M.S. 


Karen Pocinki, M.A. 


Stephanie Dailey, M.A.
 

Special Edition on Science Education 

Memo – OD 

This memo conveys the urgency of improving 

science education in the United States and 

inspires NIH grantees to work on that 

challenge in several concrete ways in their 

own communities. 

Bruce A. Fuchs, Ph.D. 


Brooke Bourdélat-Parks, Ph.D. 


Ravi Sawhney, D.D.S., M.S.D., Ph.D. 


Cynthia Allen, M.A. 


The most important lesson in the writing trade is that 

any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat. 

■ Robert Heinlein 

7
 
 

 

GOLD AWARD 

Video Cases: Helping Patients Who 

Drink Too Much – NIAAA 

Through engaging video case studies and 

interactive exercises, this e-learning program 

brings to life the recommendations in the 

NIAAA clinician’s guide: Helping Patients 

Who Drink Too Much. The course presents 

evidence-based strategies for screening, 

assessing, and managing the care of patients 

who drink heavily. It features a seventeenminute tutorial, and four ten-minute video 

cases of patients with varying degrees of 

alcohol involvement and readiness to change. 

Mark L. Willenbring, M.D.
 

Maureen B. Gardner
 

Diane W. Miller, M.P.A.
 

When a Medical Emergency Strikes – OD 

This cover story, featured in NIH News and 

Health, describes the importance of quick 

action during a medical emergency and 

provides an overview of basic and clinical 

NIH-funded research that may improve 

emergency medical care in the future. 

A “Wise Choices” box offers bulleted 

tips on when to call 911. 

Vicki Contie, M.A. 

As for style of writing, if one has anything 

to say, it drops from him simply and directly, 

as a stone falls to the ground. 

■ Henry David Thoreau 

8
 
 

SILVER AWARD 

Biomedical Beat (August 2008 Issue) – 

NIGMS 

This issue of the monthly e-newsletter 

Biomedical Beat features short, engaging 

summaries of important findings in basic 

biomedical research. This online medium 

includes videos, images, and links to 

additional information. 

Erin Fults 

Explaining GFR: A Tear-off Pad for 

Clinical Use (Spanish-Language Version) – 

NIDDK 

This tear-off pad is an educational tool to help 

health care providers explain glomerular filtration 

rate (GFR) results to their Spanish-speaking 

patients. Components include an area to record 

results, information to help explain results, tips 

for kidney health, and simple talking points in 

Spanish to use with patients. 

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

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

Karen Goldstein, M.P.H. 

Cassandra de la Cruz Oshinnaiye 

Helicopter Traffic Around NIH Campus: 

Going Up – OD 

This feature story in the NIH Record describes 

how the increase in helicopter traffic reflects 

the ongoing integration of National Naval 

Medical Center with Walter Reed Army 

Medical Center and trends in trauma-care. 

Belle Waring, R.N. 

Helping Older People Find Health 

Information Just Got Easier – NIA 

Many older adults are interested in finding 

health information online but lack the necessary 

web skills. This brochure encourages librarians, 

senior center directors, and others to download 

lesson plans from NIA’s Toolkit for Trainers for 

use in teaching older adults how to search the 

Internet for reliable health information. 

Stephanie Dailey, M.A.
 

Karen Pocinki, M.A.
 

Vicky Cahan
 

Jennie Jariel
 

You cannot write in the chimney 

with charcoal. 

■ Russian proverb 

9
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

SILVER AWARD 

Herbs at a Glance: A Quick Guide to 

Herbal Supplements – NCCAM 

This booklet provides consumers with 

simple, easy-to-understand, scientifically 

based information about commonly used 

herbs. According to the 2007 National Health 

Interview Survey, more than 38 million 

American adults use natural products, 

including herbs. 

Catherine Law, M.T.S.C. 

NCCAM Clearinghouse Writing Team 

Graves Fowler Creative 

In Jazz Improv, Large Portion of Brain’s 

Prefrontal Region ‘Takes Five’ to Let 

Creativity Flow – NIDCD 

This press release describes a study in which 

NIDCD researchers used imaging technology 

to determine the brain activity of jazz 

musicians while they are improvising. 

The study received widespread news 

coverage and this press release received 

a great deal of attention in the media. 

Jennifer Wenger, M.A. 

Less is more. 

■ Robert Browning 

Investing in Discovery: 


NIGMS Strategic Plan – NIGMS
 

This strategic plan articulates NIGMS’s 

values, priorities, and goals. By developing 

and implementing this plan, NIGMS ensures 

that current and future programs support 

its mission. Scientists, policymakers, and 

others who read the plan will gain insight 

into NIGMS enabling them to work with 

the Institute most effectively. 

Alison F. Davis, Ph.D. 

La Ronde – NIA 

Older adults combing through medical 

books at a library are frustrated in their 

search for answers until they discover 

how easy it is to get reliable health 

information from NIHSeniorHealth.gov. 

The round, a technique from Vaudeville 

in which dialogue is repeated, is used 

to drive home the message. 

Vicky Cahan
 

Kathleen Cravedi, M.S.
 

Karen Pocinki, M.A. 


Stephanie Dailey, M.A.
 

10
 
Media-Smart Youth Guide for Training 

Program Facilitators – NICHD 

This training guide includes half-day 

and full-day training options, along with 

a CD-ROM containing supplemental 

presentations. Community educators and 

facilitators can use this training guide to 

train and convey the nutrition, physical 

activity, media analysis, and media 

production concepts in the Media-Smart 

Youth: Eat, Think and Be Active!® curriculum. 

Marianne Glass Miller 

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

Elyse Cohen 

Medical Historian Examines NIMH 

Experiments in Crowding – OD 

This feature article summarizes an NLM 

History of Medicine lecture and sparks interest 

in the research of a prominent former NIH 

investigator. The article uses subheadings 

to break the story into bite-size pieces that 

readers can easily digest. 

Carla R. Garnett, M.A. 

SILVER AWARD
 

Menopause: Time for a Change – NIA 

This booklet discusses the menopausal 

transition, addresses common symptoms and 

health problems associated with menopause, 

and offers suggestions for staying healthy. 

Karin L. Kolsky 

Freddi Karp 

Vicky Cahan 

NCI Snapshots – NCI 

These electronic fact sheets provide 

information from across NCI on disease 

incidence and mortality, NCI funding, 

relevant activities, and recent scientific 

advances. NCI Snapshots are web-based 

and incorporate hyperlinks to connect 

users, including the scientific community, 

Congress, advocacy groups, and 

international research partners, to 

additional informational resources. 

Julie L. Bronder-Mason, Ph.D. 

James G. Corrigan, Ph.D. 

The most valuable of all talents is that of never 

using two words when one will do. 

■ Thomas Jefferson 

11
 
 

 

SILVER AWARD 

NIAMS Update – NIAMS 

This monthly email is a critical tool in the 

science-to-service mission of NIAMS and 

provides subscribers with the latest information 

and research advances concerning diseases of 

bones, joints, muscles, and skin. It also offers 

up-to-date information on NIAMS-sponsored 

grants, meetings, and publications. 

Melanie M. Martinez, M.P.A.
 

Leslie McIntire, M.S.
 

Susan Bettendorf 


Karin Rudolph, M.A.
 

Janet Austin, Ph.D.
 

NIBIB E-Newsletter (February 2008) – 

NIBIB 

This e-newsletter one of a series of e-newsletters 

providing up-to-date information on NIH and 

NIBIB activities, programs, and opportunities. 

The e-newsletter is electronically distributed 

three times a year to institute employees, 

grantees, constituency groups, and interested 

members of the public. 

Cheryl Fee
 

Mary Beth Kester, M.S.
 

Jude Gustafson, M.A.
 

NIH Research Matters E-Column – OD 

This e-column, created for people who want 

to keep up with the breathtaking range of 

medical research conducted by NIH and 

NIH-funded scientists, highlights important 

research studies published in peer-reviewed 

journals. The audience includes researchers, 

physicians, policy-makers, interest groups, 

and members of the public. 

Harrison Wein, Ph.D. 

Vicki Contie, M.A. 

Tool Kit for Trainers – NIA 

Libraries, senior centers, and other organizations 

interested in helping older adults learn about 

health information online can use this tool kit, 

a senior-friendly curriculum offering easy-to-use 

lesson plans, worksheets, and training tools. 

NIHSeniorHealth.gov and Medlineplus.gov 

teach basic web skills and provide reliable 

online health information. 

Stephanie Dailey, M.A.
 

Karen Pocinki, M.A. 


Vicky Cahan 


Jennie Jariel
 

12
 
Una llamada, un clic – Diabetes 

Awareness – NIDDK 

Una Ilamada, un clic, a 30 and 60 second 

Spanish radio Public Service Announcement, 

is part of a new awareness campaign to 

promote the National Diabetes Education 

Program (NDEP). It is a leading source of 

free information for people with diabetes 

and people at risk, and promotes an 

easy to remember website address and 

phone number. 

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

Eugenie Thompson 

SILVER AWARD 

What I Need to Know about Diabetes 

Medicines – NIDDK 

This booklet provides essential information 

about each type of diabetes medicine in a 

format that facilitates instruction. It includes 

easy updates and offers helpful tools, such 

as a list of questions for people to ask 

about their medicines. 

Ellen Schwab, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.
 

Judith Fradkin, M.D.
 

Kathy Kranzfelder, M.A. 


If you find your own writing boring, 

so will somebody else. 

■ Michael Dirda 

13
 
 

BRONZE AWARD
 

Bone Health for Life – NIAMS 

This booklet is about bone heath and describes 

who is at risk for osteoporosis and how to 

recognize it. The booklet addresses medicines 

for osteoporosis and ways to make bones 

healthier. It also provides information on 

how to join a research study. 

Trish Reynolds, R.N., M.S. 

Julie L. Townshend, M.B.A. 

Mimi M. Lising, M.P.H. 

Cómo cuidarse mientras usted cuida 

a su ser querido: Apoyo para personas 

que cuidan a un ser querido con cáncer 

(Caring for the Caregiver: Support for 

Cancer Caregivers) – NCI 

This booklet is a translation of Caring for 

the Caregiver: Support for Cancer Caregivers, 

and provides culturally sensitive information 

for the cancer caregiver, focusing on how 

they can take care of themselves while caring 

for a loved one. For Spanish-speaking adults 

who are taking care of a loved one, the 

booklet offers both practical and supportive 

information to help the caregiver cope 

during this stressful time. 

Louise Cunningham, M.P.H.
 

Silvia Salazar, M.P.A.
 

Susan Spangler 


Scott Van Til, Voices for Health
 

Division of Cancer Control and 

Population Sciences (DCCPS) 2007 

Overview and Highlights – NCI 

This report provides information about 

the history, programs, and people of DCCPS 

since its creation in 1997. It describes 

activities, science advances, research 

resources, and analytic tools from the 

past decade and highlights achievements 

of funded investigators and partners. 

Color-coded chapters, lists, figures, 

highlight boxes, and images clearly 

define the information and offer 

visual appeal. 

Lori L. Alexander, M.T.P.W., E.L.S.
 

Cathy Backinger, Ph.D, M.P.H.
 

Rachel Ballard-Barbash, M.D., M.P.H.
 

Denise H. Buckley, E.L.S.
 

Brenda K. Edwards, Ph.D.
 

Julia H. Rowland, Ph.D.
 

Mary Schwarz 


Stephen Taplin, M.D., M.P.H.
 

Stacey Vandor, M.P.A.
 

Deborah M. Winn, Ph.D. 


14
 
 

 

 

Division of Cancer Epidemiology 

and Genetics (DCEG) Linkage 

Newsletter – NCI 

This scientific newsletter informs readers 

about cancer research conducted by the 

DCEG, and includes a variety of articles 

about research projects, individual scientists, 

and meeting and program summaries. It 

includes an extensive section that highlights 

published manuscripts. The newsletter 

presents complex information in a way 

that is both understandable and interesting 

to a wide and diverse scientific audience. 

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

Samantha Nhan 


Shelia Hoar Zahm, Sc.D.
 

Draft Testimony from NIAMS Director, 

Dr. Stephen I. Katz – NIAMS 

This testimony, before the House Committee 

on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on 

Space Aeronautics, describes implementation of 

the Memorandum of Understanding between NIH 

and NASA for Cooperation in Space-Related 

Health Research. Members of Congress were 

familiar with NASA’s directed research agenda 

but not with NIH’s commitment to unsolicited 

investigator-initiated research. 

Jonelle K. Drugan, Ph.D., M.P.H. 

BRONZE AWARD 

Explaining GFR: A Tear-off Pad for 

Clinical Use – NIDDK 

This tear-off pad is an educational tool to 

help health care providers explain glomerular 

filtration rate (GFR) results to their patients. 

Components include an area to record results, 

information to help explain the results, tips 

for kidney health, and simple talking points 

to use with patients. 

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

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

Nancy Accetta, M.H.S., CHES 

Anna Zawislanski, M.P.H. 

The language of truth is simple. 

■ Euripides 

15
 
BRONZE AWARD
 

Family Research Matters: 

Inherited Bone Marrow Failure 

Syndromes Study Newsletter – NCI 

This newsletter informs study participants 

and their families of NCI’s progress in 

studying seven rare genetic blood disorders 

that lead to bone marrow failure. For each 

disorder, new discoveries and future areas 

of research are shared. Participants also 

are updated on recommendations for 

screening and management, confidentiality, 

resources, and published articles resulting 

from the study. 

Blanche P. Alter, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P.
 

Rhonda Wilt DeJoice
 

Neelam Giri, M.D., F.A.A.P.
 

Sharon A. Savage, M.D.
 

Hong Vo
 

I never write ‘metropolis’ 

when I can write ‘city’ and 

get paid the same. 

■ Mark Twain 

For Women with Diabetes: 


Your Guide to Pregnancy – NIDDK
 

This booklet is designed to help pregnant 

women with pre-existing diabetes learn 

how to lower the risk of health problems 

for themselves and their infants by 

controlling blood glucose levels before 

and throughout pregnancy. 

Ellen Schwab, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. 

Kathy Kranzfelder, M.A. 

Iraqi Woman Has Early Success in 

Dysphagia Study – NINDS 

This article, written for the NIH Record, 

describes early success in an NINDS 

Intramural clinical trial led by Dr. Christy 

Ludlow. The article details one woman’s 

experience with dysphagia—a swallowing 

disorder—and the therapy she received 

through the trial, which changed her life. 

Shannon E. Garnett 

Making Vision a Health Priority – NEI 

This fact sheet provides a wide array of 

information on early detection of eye 

diseases and the importance of a 

comprehensive dilated eye exam. 

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

Linda Huss 

16
 
Minority Programs Update 

e-Newsletter – NIGMS 

This e-newsletter keeps program directors 

informed of opportunities, deadlines, 

meetings, and other news of interest to 

those committed to increasing the number 

of minority biomedical scientists. 

Susan Athey 

Jilliene Mitchell 

Clifton Poodry, Ph.D. 

Multi-Cultural Heart Health 

Booklets – NHLBI 

These four sets of heart health booklets offer 

motivation and action steps to incorporate 

heart healthy behaviors into daily life and 

are designed specifically for Latino Americans, 

Filipino Americans, African Americans, and 

American Indians. References to culturally 

appropriate foods, activities, and situations 

engage the reader. Interactive text answers 

questions and provides check lists for 

lifestyle changes. 

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

Violet Ryo-Hwa Woo, M.S., M.P.H.
 

Robinson Fulwood, Ph.D., M.S.P.H.
 

Rachael Tracy, M.P.H.
 

Janet de Jesus, M.S., R.D.
 

BRONZE AWARD
 

NIAMS Director’s Statement to the 

Appropriations Committees (FY 2009) – 

NIAMS 

This statement provides a clear, concise 

description of NIAMS research progress 

and future directions in support of the 

NIAMS fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget request. 

It includes information about the burden 

of disease associated with NIAMS research 

areas and addresses how the institute is 

working to reduce this burden. 

Anita M. Linde, M.P.P. 


Jonelle K. Drugan, Ph.D., M.P.H. 


Louise M. Rosenbaum, Ph.D.
 

NIH Grant Cycle: Application 

to Renewal – NIAID 

Covering the entire grants spectrum, this 

online tutorial combines graphics and text 

to explain how to successfully compete for 

an NIH grant. A reinvention of NIAID’s All 

About Grants tutorials, the resource divides 

the funding lifecycle into twelve phases and 

offers stage-specific information and advice 

for scientific investigators. Flowcharts 

illustrate key processes and decision points, 

linking text for in-depth information. 

Maya Hadar 

Jenny Sacchetti 

Mark Helfman 

17
 
 

BRONZE AWARD 

NIH Senior Health-Wisdom for the 

Ages Bookmark – NIA 

This creative bookmark uses inspiring 

imagery to let older adults know about 

NIHSeniorHealth.gov, a health and wellness 

website created especially for them. Clear 

and simple language tells readers how easy 

it is to make the text bigger, the contrast 

better, and even make it talk. 

Stephanie Dailey, M.A.
 

Karen Pocinki, M.A.
 

Vicky Cahan
 

Monica Snellings
 

Pap Tests: Things To Know – NCI 

This brochure introduces the concept of 

routine Pap testing to women. It provides 

introductory information to women’s most 

common questions, such as: what is a 

Pap test, why and when to have one. 

It also discusses free and low-cost tests 

and the human papillomavirus (HPV). 

Rhonda Wilt DeJoice 

Harry T. Kwon, Ph.D., M.P.H., CHES 

Rose Mary Padberg, R.N., M.A. 

Susan Spangler 

Vigorous writing is concise. 

■ William Strunk 

Protein Puzzlers – NIGMS 

This article from the education booklet 

Computing Life targets upper level high 

school and college students. Clear language 

and fun graphics demonstrate how this 

student audience can play games to help 

scientists learn about protein folding. 

Erin Fults 

Quick Reference on UACR and GFR – 

NIDDK 

This fact sheet provides key information 

for health care professionals and patient 

educators about two tests used to determine 

kidney function: estimated glomerular 

filtration rate (GFR), and the urine albuminto-creatinine ratio (UACR). The tool distills 

information in one easy-to-read document. 

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

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

Anna Zawislanski, M.P.H. 

Michael Briggs 

18
 
Scientists Develop Sensitive Salivary 

Sensor – NIDCR 

This news release reports on the development 

of a sensor that can find an oral-cancer-specific 

biomarker in saliva. The press release’s lead 

paragraph grabs attention and then explains 

the complex topic in easy to understand 

language. Quotes from researchers help 

clarify the science. 

Bob Kuska, M.S.J. 

Study of Sugars on Cell Surface Identifies 

Key Factor in Flu Infection – NIGMS 

This news release about a finding that 

refines our notion of how bird flu could 

infect humans, clearly explains the results 

and their significance to reporters interested 

in following up with their own news articles. 

Emily Carlson, M.A. 

What I don’t write is as 

important as what I write. 

■ Jamaica Kincaid 

BRONZE AWARD 

Surgeon General’s Report: What It 

Means To You (Chinese) – NIAMS 

This Chinese trans-adaptation of the 

Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and 

Osteoporosis: What It Means to You involved 

careful collaboration with members of the 

Chinese community. The magazine-style, 

full-color booklet offers ready-to-use 

information on how to take action to 

improve bone health. 

Janet Austin, Ph.D.
 

Julie Townshend, M.B.A.
 

Ping Wang, M.D.
 

The Aging Eye – NEI 

This fact sheet provides information on 

age-related eye diseases such as age-related 

macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic 

retinopathy, glaucoma, low vision, and the 

importance of early detection through a 

comprehensive dilated eye exam. 

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

Linda Huss 

19
 
BRONZE AWARD 

Tips for Teens with Diabetes: Make 

Healthy Food Choices – NIDDK 

This teen-friendly tip sheet helps teens with 

both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and their 

families learn more about food and how 

to make healthy food choices. 

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

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

Welcome Letter for New T32 

Grantees – NIGMS 

This welcome letter from NIGMS contains 

helpful information for scientists who receive 

NIGMS institutional training grant funding. 

Alison E. Cole, Ph.D. 

To write simply is as difficult as to be good. 

■ Somerset Maugham 

20
 
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
 

Jonathan Capehart 

Editorial Writer for The Washington Post, 

Capehart specializes in national politics and 

environmental issues. Capehart joined the 

editorial board in 2007. Prior to the Post, 

he was a member of the New York Daily News’ 

editorial board from 1993 to 2000. Capehart 

was National Affairs Columnist for Bloomberg 

News from 2000 to 2001. He then went to work 

as 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 from 2002 to 2005. 

Capehart and the Daily News editorial board 

won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial 

Writing for their editorial series on the 

Apollo Theater in Harlem. 

21 
PREVIOUS CEREMONY SPEAKERS
 

2008–Jon Spelman 

Award-Winning, InternationallyRenowned 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. 

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. 

22
 
PREVIOUS CEREMONY SPEAKERS
 

2004–Joe Palca 

Award-Winning Science Correspondent for 

National Public Radio (NPR) 

Since joining National Public Radio in 1992, 

Palca has covered a range of science topics, 

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 National 

Public Radio (NPR) News, where she was the 

congressional correspondent for more than ten 

years. In addition to her work for NPR, Roberts 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 (PBS). 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. 

2001–Michael Dirda 

Pulitzer Prize Writing 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. 

23
 
Special thanks to the 2008-2009 NIH Plain Language Reviewers for their 

commitment of time and energy to the NIH Plain Language Award Program. 

Cynthia Allen, OD Marianne Kost, NCI 

Carla Alvarez, OD Robert Kuska, NIDCR 

Beth Ansel, NICHD Shirley LaBella, OD 

Jules Asher, NIMH Robin Latham, NINDS 

Christine Bacharach, OBSSR Karen Lechter, CSR 

Richard Barnes, CIT Rob Logan, NLM 

Tony Beck, NCRR Marsha Love, NIMH 

Patricia Blessing, NIDCD Kelli Marciel, ODP 

Courtney Billet, NIAID Lisa Marshall, OD 

Ann Brewer, OD Diane Miller, NIAAA 

Sara Byars, CC Melanie Modlin, NLM 

Emily Carlson, NIGMS Karen Plá, OD 

Allyson Collins, NEI Shelly Pollard, NCRR 

Kym Collins-Lee, NEI Ann Poritzky, OD 

Megan Columbus, OER Barry Portnoy, OD 

Vickie Contie, OD/OCPL Sara Rosario Wilson, NIAMS 

Kathleen Cravedi, NLM Christina Stile, NICHD 

Dinora Dominguez, CC Diane Striar, NHLBI 

Carla Garnett, OD Larry Thompson, NHGRI 

Tom Gill, OD David Uejio, OD 

Jenny Haliski, OD Chris Wanjek, OIR 

Jean Horrigan, NEI Jenny Wenger, NIDCD 

Calvin Jackson, OD Erica Williams, CIT 

Lenora Johnson, NCI 

Special Thanks to Additional Reviewers 

Margorie Mau, M.D., Alumni, NIH Director’s Council of Public Representatives 

Review of Chinese and Tagali Products 

Sara L. Campbell, DNS, R.N., NEA-BC 


Chun Man (Perry) Chan 


Jiangping Chen, Ph.D.
 

Lin Lin, Ed.D.
 

Filomena Machleder
 

Rui Mao
 

Dawna Torres Mughal, Ph.D., R.N., LDN (COPR Alumni)
 

24
 
ACRONYMS
 

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 

25
 
In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the births of two very 

accomplished communicators, Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. 

There seems to be a sort of fatality in my mind 

leading me to put at first my statement or 

proposition in a wrong or awkward form. 

— Charles Darwin 

Man is not the only animal who labors; but he is 

the only one who improves his workmanship. 

— Abraham Lincoln 

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