Director of the National Institutes of Health
Overview. The NIH director plays an active role in shaping the agency's activities and outlook. With a unique and critical perspective on the whole of the NIH, the director is responsible for providing leadership to the institutes and for constantly identifying needs and opportunities, especially for efforts that involve multiple institutes. The NIH director is responsible for advising the U.S. president on their annual budget request to Congress on the basis of extensive discussions with the institute directors. History. The position of the NIH Director became presidentially appointed with the passage of  the National Cancer Act of 1971 and Senate confirmed with the National Cancer Act Amendments of 1974.  Prior to 1971, all NIH Directors were appointed by the Surgeon General, with the exception of Robert Q. Marston, who was appointed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Acting Directors are selected by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and hold the position until the President nominates a new director who is confirmed by the Senate. List of directors. "Unnumbered, colored rows indicate acting directors."