Dr. John Gallin, longtime director of the National Institutes of Health's research hospital, has been moved to a new role months after a report sharply criticized the Clinical Center's leadership.
NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins announced to staff on Thursday that in a newly created dual position, Gallin will serve as NIH's associate director for clinical research and chief scientific officer of the hospital, effective immediately. He will remain director of the Clinical Center until a new CEO is selected, the NIH confirmed Thursday.
The agency announced in May that it would create three new NIH leadership roles at the hospital, including a CEO who will replace Gallin. That followed an independent report (PDF) that claimed the Clinical Center prioritized research over patient safety.
Collins also announced the appointment of the other leaders. Majid Tanas, director of pharmacy at the Oregon Health and Science University, will serve as chief of pharmacy. Dr. Andrew Griffith, scientific director for the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, will oversee the NIH Office of Research Support and Compliance. Dr. Bruce Burnett, an expert in regulatory and quality practices, has joined NIH from Duke University for a year to help at the Office of Research Support and Compliance.
The leadership changes followed a report triggered by a 2015 incident that forced the clinic's pharmacy to close. Two vials of medicine mixed for patients were found to contain fungus.
Collins responded to the incident by establishing the group responsible for the report, the Clinical Center Working Group.
Several senior doctors at the NIH criticized the report, saying it unfairly demonized the leaders.
The Clinical Center is the largest hospital in the world dedicated solely to clinical research. During his 22 years as director, Gallin has overseen the design and construction of a new research hospital, established a new curriculum for clinical research and developed a new information systems for biomedical translational and clinical research.
In his new role, Gallin will oversee the scientific review process for all clinical protocols conducted by the NIH Intramural Research Program, set priorities for clinical research, oversee independent research programs, develop strategic partnerships and supervise clinical research training.
Gallin previously has served as scientific director of intramural research activities at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
He has more than 325 published articles in scientific journals. He is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Association of American Physicians, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and the American College of Physicians.
