NIH celebrates Sibling Day, supports brothers and sisters of patients

On July 9, the NIH Clinical Center and The Children’s Inn at NIH celebrated Sibling Day – a day focused on the important role siblings play in the care of their brothers and sisters who are participating in clinical research.

Patient celebrates 50th anniversary of open heart surgery at Building 10

Former Clinical Center patient Tom Kaminski returned “home” to the NIH in June in celebration of his successful open heart surgery five decades ago in Building 10. Kaminski was born with a tint of blue skin and blue fingernails. Due to a congenital heart defect known as tetralogy of Fallot, it was difficult for blood to flow to his lungs and for his body to get the oxygen he needed. He couldn’t run around with friends in the neighborhood. He couldn’t ride a bike. His parents decided to take action. In 1969, they brought him to one of the only places at the time doing heart surgery – the NIH Clinical Center.

First-in-human gene therapy launches for pediatric patient with rare neurogenerative disease

In May, a ten-year-old girl named JoJo received gene therapy for an extremely rare neurogenerative disease called GM1 gangliosidosis. GM1 progressively destroys nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle and movement weakness, difficulty swallowing and a shortened life expectancy.

Former NIAMS Director Steven I. Katz remembered in speech and song

On May 3, friends, colleagues and co-workers gathered in the NIH Clinical Center Masur Auditorium to remember and reflect on the life and professional influence of former National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) director, Dr. Steven I. Katz, who passed away on December 20, 2018.