BRINGING RESEARCH CLOSER TO HOME THE RESEARCHMARCH 2014 ADVOCATE

Congress has begun Wolf, Fattah Named 2014 deliberations on funding levels for FY15. Pressure Whitehead Award Winners to cut federal spending Reps. Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Chaka Fattah (D-PA) will receive the 2014 Edwin this midterm election C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy at this year’s Advocacy Awards dinner on March 12. year is enormous, and “Representatives Wolf and Fattah are exceptional champions for research,” said Re- we need advocates search!America Chair John Edward Porter. ”They have worked vigorously to in- to reach out to their crease funding for research, support policies that ignite public and private sector innovation, maintain our global competitiveness, and help patients and their fami- representatives. Rep. Frank Wolf Rep. Chaka lies struggling with costly and debilitating diseases.” (R-VA) Fattah (D-PA) Learn more on Both serve as their party’s leaders on the House Appropriations Committee’s Com- page 8. merce, Justice, Science Subcommittee. Wolf was a founder of the “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” Commission which sparked a national effort to bolster federal science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and R&D programs. These efforts culmi- nated in the enactment of the first America COMPETES Act in 2007 to increase public-private partnerships and provide assistance to innovators throughout the country. Wolf also supported the act’s reauthorization in 2010. He is an active member of several caucuses, including research and development, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and multi- ple sclerosis. “It has been a true privilege to play a role in advocating for the resources and policy environment required not only to maintain our global leadership in the scientific arena, but to optimize the use of science for the good of our nation and ACTION the world,” Wolf said. “Scientific innovation has saved countless lives, fueled our economy, equipped our troops and ALERT continued on page 4 Most Not Well Informed on Elected Officials’ Positions on Research 43% 11% Research!America Board Member Victor Dzau informed not sure Named Institute of Medicine President Victor Dzau, MD, chancellor for health affairs at vance research and improve health by providing objec- Duke University, president and CEO for Duke Uni- tive, evidence-based guidance on critical issues.” 46% versity Health System, and a Research!America “I am humbled and honored to be selected to lead the not informed Board member, has been named IOM at a time of unprecedented opportunities and president of the Institute of Medi- challenges in health, health care and biomedical sci- cine. Dzau’s six-year term starts ences,” Dzau said. “Harvey Fineberg has been an ex- SOURCE: A RESEARCH!AMERICA POLL OF U.S. ADULTS July 1, 2014, and he replaces Har- ceptional leader of the IOM, and I am committed to CONDUCTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ZOGBY ANALYTICS vey V. Fineberg, MD, PhD. IN JANUARY 2014. building on his outstanding work and advancing the “Victor Dzau is an internationally ac- impact of the IOM on the nation and globally.” claimed leader and scientist whose VISIT US ON THE WEB Prior to his term at Duke, Dzau served at Harvard www.researchamerica.org Victor Dzau, MD work has improved health care in University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the United States and globally,” www.twitter.com/researchamerica Stanford University, among other institutions. He is National Academy of Sciences President Ralph www.researchamerica.org/facebook the past president of the Association of Academic Cicerone, PhD, said in a statement. “Under his direc- Health Centers. www.youtube.com/researchamerica tion, the Institute of Medicine will continue to ad- www.researchamerica.org/blog PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Research!America is about to celebrate truly world-class advocates for medical and health research at our annual Advocacy Awards Dinner. It is not lost on any of us that the event will occur just as Congress undertakes a regular-order appropriations process for the first time in many years. What we’re working toward is assuring that the determination of all advocates for re- search is contagious; that Members of Congress adopt their spirit and empower the scientific ecosystem with the support it needs to address disease, disability and stagnating economic growth. It isn’t really about what we can “afford”—if that were actually the driver, we’d be taking much stronger pre-emptive measures, since we know we can’t indefinitely afford the Alzheimer’s tsunami or the continuation of 20th century approaches to a host of diseases. (“Pay me now or pay me later” was the tagline of the old Midas muffler ad; it rings true today.) Mary Woolley President and CEO I know I don’t have to convince you of this logic. I want instead to convince you to participate in our 2014 voter education ini- tiative, so that, collectively, we assure that those voting in November have medical progress—via putting research to work— on their minds at the ballot box. Which candidate will better champion research? That’s the question we want at the forefront. Candidates will respond if enough voters ask them to declare their views. Learn more at www.askyourcandidates.org!

Research!America Extends Special Thanks To Our Principal Partners 2014 Advocacy Awards Dinner Host: Howard University Health North Carolina Association for Johnson & Johnson Sciences Biomedical Research Presenting Partner: Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Northeast Ohio Medical Inc. University Genentech, Inc. 25th Anniversary Commemorative Pfizer Inc Program Partner: Book Society for Neuroscience American Medical Association AcademyHealth Vanderbilt University Medical Contributor: American Cancer Society Center Duke University Medical Center American Medical Association America Speaks: Poll Data Northeast Ohio Medical Brigham & Women’s Summary, Vol.14 University Hospital/Partners Healthcare American Medical Association Sponsor: System, Inc. Ask Your Candidates! Voter Brigham & Women’s Duke University Health System Education Initiative Hospital/Partners Healthcare Friends of the National Institute American Heart Association System, Inc. of Nursing Research The American Physiological Howard Hughes Medical Institute Georgetown University Medical Society Center Duke University Medical Center Friends: Johns Hopkins University Bristol-Myers Squibb Lupus Foundation of America, McGladrey, LLP Inc. Cell Therapeutics, Inc. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Mary J.C. Hendrix, PhD and Charles E. Craft

Visit www.researchamerica.org/partnership_opportunities for ways to support Research!America. 1101 King Street, Suite 520 Alexandria, VA 22314-2960 Special Thanks To New and Renewing Research!America Alliance Members New Member American Society of Tropical New York University www.researchamerica.org Wright State University Medicine and Hygiene Oral Health America 703-739-2577 / 800-366-CURE Renewing Members Association of Professors of Orthopaedic Research Society Human and Medical Genetics The Smith-Kettlewell Eye [email protected] Alliance for Aging Research Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Research Institute American Academy of Nursing Colgate-Palmolive Co. Society for Advancement of Editor: Brian Hunsicker American Academy of Pediatrics Danaher Corporation Violence and Injury Research American Federation for Medical Duke University Medical Center Summa Health System About Research!America Research The Endocrine Society University of Louisville School of American Public Health Research!America is the nation’s Greater Akron Chamber Dentistry Association Harris Search Associates Vanderbilt University Medical largest 501(c)(3) public education and American Society for Johns Hopkins University School Center advocacy alliance working to make re- Biochemistry and Molecular of Nursing Washington University School of search to improve health a higher na- Biology Howard Hughes Medical Institute Medicine in St. Louis tional priority. Founded in 1989, American Society for Clinical Kent State University WomenHeart: The National Research!America is supported by Investigation National Disease Research Coalition for Women with Heart member organizations that together Interchange Disease represent the voices of more than 125 million Americans. Our public opinion Not yet a member? Join Research!America today at www.researchamerica.org/supportourwork polls, advocacy programs and publica- tions reach the public and decision makers to help advance medical, health and scientific research. 2 RESEARCH!AMERICA President’s Budget Comes Up BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS The Honorable John Edward Porter, chair Short for Health Agencies The Honorable Michael N. Castle, vice chair Mary Woolley, president and CEO Larry J. Shapiro, MD, secretary On February 11, the House approved a debt ceiling increase, putting that Lucinda Maine, PhD, RPh, treasurer issue to rest until March 2015. The next order of business is the FY15 appro- BOARD MEMBERS Tenley E. Albright, MD priations process. On March 4, President Barack Obama released his Georges C. Benjamin, MD budget recommendations to Congress. The president requested an increase Nancy Brown Susan Dentzer of less than 1% for the National Institutes of Health, which would leave the Victor J. Dzau, MD Joseph M. Feczko, MD agency with funding below that of FY12. The president’s budget would in- Jay A. Gershen, DDS, PhD William Hait, MD, PhD crease the NIH budget by another $970 million through an “Opportunity, Mary J.C. Hendrix, PhD Growth and Security” initiative, but that is contingent upon a highly unlikely Martha N. Hill, PhD, RN Harry Johns increase of $56 billion in the FY15 budget caps. Jackie Lovelace Johnson Evan Jones Elizabeth Baker Keffer The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received another signifi- The Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy cant cut, totaling $408 million, or 6.9%. The Food and Drug Administra- Debra R. Lappin, JD Alan I. Leshner, PhD tion’s budget authority would remain relatively flat at $2.6 billion (an increase James L. Madara, MD Mark McClellan, MD, PhD of 1%). The National Science Foundation would receive an increase of The Honorable Kweisi Mfume Elizabeth G. Nabel, MD $130 million, about 2% more than the previous year’s budget level. The Herbert Pardes, MD Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality would receive $334 million, a Sudip S. Parikh, PhD Amy Comstock Rick, JD decrease of approximately 10% from FY14. These proposed funding levels John R. Seffrin, PhD Laing Rogers Sisto are simply not aligned with the value each agency delivers to America and Jack T. Watters, MD Americans. Keith R. Yamamoto, PhD Elias A. Zerhouni, MD The Congressional appropriations process is moving forward: Members of EMERITUS DIRECTORS William G. Anlyan, MD Congress are accepting feedback from constituents on the appropriations pri- Dennis A. Ausiello, MD Kenneth I. Berns, MD, PhD orities they should submit to the appropriations committees; hearings are William R. Brinkley, PhD Roger J. Bulger, MD being scheduled, and appropriations staff members are already in negotia- G. Steven Burrill tions regarding individual appropriations bills. While it will be particularly chal- Gail H. Cassell, PhD Wendy Chaite, Esq. lenging in an election year to pass all 12 bills rather than relying on a Jordan J. Cohen, MD Dominick P. DePaola, DDS, PhD continuing resolution, the appropriations leaders in the House and Senate Sam Donaldson John P. Donnelly have expressed their determination to do so. Robert Dresing Eugene Garfield, PhD Other developments affecting medical innovation include new tax legislation Myron Genel, MD Irma E. Goertzen and concerns over new regulations proposed by the Centers for M.R.C. Greenwood, PhD Elmer E. Huerta, MD, MPH Medicare and Medicaid Services. Last week, Rep. Dave Camp Robert A. Ingram (R-MI) introduced comprehensive tax legislation that Caroline A. Kovac, PhD Philip R. Lee, MD includes provisions that would make the research and develop- Ellen Levine Constance E. Lieber ment tax credit permanent; unfortunately, the bill also included John P. Margaritis provisions that would weaken the impact of the credit. Even Jewell Jackson McCabe Catherine E. McDermott though the R&D tax provisions are a mixed bag and, in an elec- Donnica L. Moore, MD Rep. Dave Camp James E. Mulvihill, DMD (R-MI) tion year, such legislation is unlikely to gain traction, Congress William D. Novelli William A. Peck, MD must at least pass a tax-extenders bill this year. It is significant Edward E. Penhoet, PhD that Camp laid down a marker in support of making the tax credit permanent. William L. Roper, MD, MPH Leon E. Rosenberg, MD Isadore Rosenfeld, MD In a welcome development, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Serv- Raymond R. Sackler, MD Charles A. Sanders, MD ices announced March 10 that it was shelving proposed Medicare Part D pre- Mitchel Sayare, PhD scription drug formulary rules. The proposed changes would have allowed Carol R. Scheman M. Roy Schwarz, MD formularies to place restrictions on access to medicines for depression, as Susan C. Scrimshaw, PhD Randolph Siegel well as immunosuppressants, even though patient tolerance and response to Samuel C. Silverstein, MD Hon. Louis Stokes individual medicines within these classes varies significantly. Beyond the Hon. Louis W. Sullivan, MD negative implications for patients, dismissing the importance of research- Hon. Billy Tauzin Reed V. Tuckson, MD based advances in personalized treatment would have set a dangerous Christopher A. Viehbacher Alan G. Walton, DSc, PhD precedent. If medical advances are devalued, medical progress itself is M. Cass Wheeler placed in jeopardy. John Whitehead Ruth Wooden Judy Woodruff James B. Wyngaarden, MD

THE RESEARCH ADVOCATE 3 Research!America, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Host Whitehead Winners “World Free From Cancer” Panel Discussion Announced continued from page 1 Moderator Jim Pinkerton (left) and panelists Robert Hariri, MD, PhD; Julie advanced our ability to heal Fleshman, JD; Laurie MacCaskill; Amy Abernethy, MD, PhD; Clifton Leaf; Frank wounded warriors. I am convinced it Lichtenberg, PhD; and Scott Gottlieb, MD, discussed barriers to defeating will ultimately supply the multilat- cancer at an event in New York City. eral communication and understand- ing necessary to advance human rights and protect the health of peo- ple worldwide. I truly appreciate being recognized by Research!Amer- ica, an alliance fully committed to the same fundamental goals.” Fattah spearheads the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative, a collab- orative interagency approach to ad- vancing the future of neuroscience Research!America and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network co-hosted “A World Free From Cancer: A Road research in partnership with the Paved with Medical Innovation” panel discussion on February 27 at The New York Academy of Sciences in New American Association for the York City. Advancement of Science. Last The event featured Amy Abernethy, MD, PhD, director of the Duke Center for Learning Health Care; Julie year, Fattah introduced America’s Fleshman, JD, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network; Scott Gottlieb, MD, a practicing FOCUS Act, legislation that would physician at Stamford Hospital and Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; Robert Hariri, MD, channel additional federal dollars PhD, chairman, founder and chief scientific officer of Celgene Cellular Therapeutics; Clifton Leaf, journalist and into the medical research supported author of The Truth in Small Doses: Why We’re Losing the War on Cancer—and How to Win It; Frank Lichtenberg, and conducted by the National In- PhD, Courtney C. Brown Professor of Business at Columbia University and the 2010 winner of Research!America’s stitutes of Health at no cost to the Garfield Economic Impact Award; and Laurie MacCaskill, chair of the National Board of Directors for Pancreatic taxpayer. Cancer Action Network. Jim Pinkerton, a contributor to Fox News, served as the moderator. “It is an honor to be recognized by The panelists shared their viewpoints on some of the challenges facing medical innovation including regulatory Research!America, an organization hurdles, federal funding cuts and the need for an improved health care delivery system. Boosting clinical trial enroll- that works day in and day out to ment, increasing the level of patient activism and implementing new clinical research models were among the make medical research one of our recommendations discussed to accelerate new treatments and therapies for cancer patients. country’s top priorities,” Fattah said. “I have been proud to partner with the scientific and health communi- ties—especially in the area of neu- roscience—to advance our nation’s Cancer Breakthrough Emerged from Federal Funding commitment to research and advo- A recent story in The Washington Post noted that a class of breakthrough cancer drugs, called checkpoint in- cacy. There is so much at stake hibitors, emerged from grants funded by the government. here; medical research is not only a conduit to breakthrough preventions The article cites research in the 1990s by James Allison, PhD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer and cures, it is a critical driver of our Center, a Research!America member. Further discoveries were made by Gordon Freeman, PhD, and his wife, economy. When we’ve found a cure Arlene Sharp, MD, PhD, both of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, also a Research!America member. for Alzheimer’s or unlocked the mys- “This is absolutely publicly funded work,” Freeman told the Post. “[National Institutes of Health] funding was criti- tery of autism, it will be a result of cal for getting us to explore science, and ever since, NIH funding has been behind the development of our work. And our collaborative efforts.” soon, the taxpayers are going to get their money’s worth.” The Whitehead Award is named in honor of Research!America’s founder, Edwin C. “Jack” Whitehead. 2014 Federal Research Budget* The other 2014 Advocacy Award win- FY12 FY13 POST- FY14 SENATE’S FY15 PRESIDENT’S ners include mental health advocates AGENCY ACTUAL SEQUESTRATION REQUEST BUDGET REQUEST Jessie Close, Glenn Close and NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH $30.86 billion $29.15 billion $29.93 billion $30.20 billion Calen Pick; Multiple Myeloma Re- search Foundation Founder and CEO CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL Kathy Giusti; Institute for Systems AND PREVENTION $5.65 billion $5.43 billion $5.80 billion $5.40 billion Biology President Leroy Hood, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION $2.51 billion $2.39 billion $2.56 billion $2.59 billion MD, PhD; Tuckson Health Connec- tions Managing Director Reed NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION $7.11 billion $6.90 billion $7.17 billion $7.30 billion Tuckson, MD; and the Progeria Research Foundation. AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY $0.37 billion $0.35 billion $0.37 billion $0.33 billion * reflects budget authority excluding transfers 4 RESEARCH!AMERICA MEDIA MATTERS Statement on President’s FY15 Budget weighed down as it is by ideological and political differ- ences, can, in fact, get its job done,” she said. Research!America issued a statement expressing dis- appointment with overall funding for the federal re- search and health agencies. The statement was Diversity in Clinical Trials included in The Huffington Post, The Hill, Politico John Castellani, president and CEO of Pharmaceuti- Pro, ScienceInsider and The Chronicle of Higher cal Research and Manufacturers of America Education. “These funding levels also jeopardize our (PhRMA), announced a new campaign with National global leadership in science—in effect ceding leader- Minority Quality Forum to increase awareness about ship to other nations as they continue to invest in clinical trials in an op-ed in the National Journal. In the strong R&D infrastructures,” said Research!America piece, Castellani cited Research!America’s poll data President and CEO Mary Woolley. about minority participation in clinical trials. David Satcher, MD, PhD, honorary chair- A World Free From Cancer man of the African-American Network Medscape and Elsevier Connect published articles Against Alzheimer’s and former U.S. about a panel discussion hosted by Research!America Surgeon General, wrote an op-ed for The and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network titled, “A Washington Post calling on the need to David Satcher, World Free From Cancer: A Road Paved with Medical boost enrollment among African- MD, PhD Innovation.” The event, held at the New York Acad- Americans in clinical trials to improve emy of Sciences, featured thought leaders from in- health outcomes and address health disparities associ- dustry, academia, health economics and the patient ated with diseases such as Alzheimer’s. community. Neglected U.S. Biomedical Research American Heart Month Claire Pomeroy, MD, president of the Albert and Research!America Board member Nancy Mary Lasker Foundation, penned a blog for The Brown, CEO of the American Heart Huffington Post urging scientists to advocate for fund- Association, wrote an op-ed for The ing and harness the power of sharing resources. “The Huffington Post about progress made in entire research community must step up and collabora- the past 50 years in the battle against tively create new opportunities to invest in future lead- cardiovascular disease. “At the core of it all ers of research,” she said. Nancy Brown is one thing. Research,” she wrote. How to Win the Super Bowl Against Cancer U.S. Debt Limit Impact on Science John C. Lechleiter, PhD, president and CEO of Lilly, Chemical & Engineering News quoted Mary Woolley wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal about the about the debt limit increase and implications for fed- need to accelerate new treatments and therapies for eral support for science. “Agreeing to increase the debt patients. limit is an encouraging sign that this Congress,

IN BRIEF • Research!America • The Centers for • A report from PwC notes • Larry Smarr, PhD, is the Board member Elizabeth Disease Control that venture capital for first Golden Goose Award Baker Keffer will leave and Prevention the life sciences fell in winner of 2014. His AtlanticLIVE to become reported that the flu 2013. But 2014 should be research on black holes a managing director at has hit younger stronger because of led to his call for a BDT & Company, an adults much more continued interest in supercomputing revolution investment firm in severely this year. biotechnology, the report in the U.S. and, eventually, Chicago. stated. the first web browser.

THE RESEARCH ADVOCATE 5 National Science Board: U.S. Lead in Science, Accelerated Technology Shrinking Medicines The National Science Board has released the 2014 edition of Science and Engineering Indicators, and the news is not good for the U.S.: As a group, the economies in Asia now perform a larger share of global R&D than the Partnership United States, and China alone has nearly equaled the U.S. in terms of high-tech manufacturing. Aims to Speed “The first decade of the 21st century continues a dramatic shift in the global scientific land- scape,” said NSB Chairman Dan Arvizu, PhD, who is also the director and chief executive of Development the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “Emerging economies understand the role sci- ence and innovation play in the global marketplace and in economic competitiveness and have of Diagnostics, increasingly placed a priority on building their capacity in science and technology.” Medicines The news was not all bad, however: R&D in the U.S. has largely recovered from the recession. In The National Institutes of Dan Arvizu, PhD 2009, R&D expenditures declined but have since returned to those levels, adjusting for inflation, Health and the Food and Drug thanks largely to gains in industry R&D spending. A critical caveat, as the NSB notes, is that its Administration have teamed report does not cover the implementation and effects of sequestration. with several nonprofits and Download the full report at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind14/. biopharmaceutical companies to re-examine the model that identifies and validates biomarkers used to develop new FASEB Stand Up for Science Winners Announced diagnostics and medicines. The group, called Accelerating The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, FASEB, has announced that a team of Medicines Partnership, will first six entrants won the $5,000 grand prize in its 2013 Stand Up for Science competition. focus on four diseases: The team—Osama Ahmed; Florie Charles; Christin Chong, PhD; Nir Oksenberg; Argenta Price; and Marta We- Alzheimer’s disease, Type 2 gorzewska, all of the University of California, San Francisco—created a video about federally funded re- diabetes, lupus and rheumatoid search. Their video shows the link between basic research and breakthrough applications, in this case a study arthritis. on how bacteria defend themselves from viruses. That knowledge led to a low-cost version of insulin and a AMP partners will invest more host of other discoveries. than $230 million over the first Kayla Briet won the $2,500 second prize, while Eric Harris and Westley Wadsworth won the $500 honor- five years of the project. able mention prize. “Recent dramatic advances in See all of the winners’ videos at basic research are opening new www.faseb.org/About-FASEB/Scientific-Contests/Stand-Up-for-Science/About-SUFS.aspx. windows of opportunity for therapeutics,” NIH Director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, said in a press release. “But this challenge is beyond the scope of Global Health Security Agenda to Set Up Worldwide any one of us and it’s time to work together in new ways to Surveillance System for Infectious Diseases increase our collective odds of The United States and 25 other countries, along with the World Health Organization and other international groups, success. We believe this are setting up a global surveillance network to monitor disease outbreaks and bioterror events. The initiative, known partnership is an important first as the Global Health Security Agenda, will involve U.S. officials from a number of branches of gov- step and represents the most ernment, including the departments of state, defense, and health and human services. sweeping effort to date to tackle this vital issue.” “Viruses are just a plane ride away. In today’s globalized world, an outbreak anywhere is a threat everywhere,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, Among the other partners in AMP told NPR’s Shots blog. “We want to make sure we do everything we can to prevent emerging or- are several Research!America ganisms from becoming outbreaks and outbreaks from becoming epidemics.” members and supporters, including AbbVie, the Alzheimer’s According to NPR, the turning point in the decision to implement the Global Health Security Tom Frieden, Association, the American Agenda came in 2012. Laura Holgate, senior director for weapons of mass destruction, terrorism MD, MPH Diabetes Association, Bristol- and threat reduction at the National Security Council, said at a press event that U.S. officials Myers Squibb, Lupus Foundation came to realize that 80% of countries didn’t meet WHO’s deadline to be prepared for disease threats. But bridging that of America, Foundation for the gap was beyond the ability of the U.S. alone. NIH, Geoffrey Beene Foundation, “This is not just a health challenge—it is a security challenge as well,” wrote Laura Monaco, assistant to President Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Merck, Barack Obama for homeland security and counterterrorism. “Infectious diseases have the potential to cause enor- Pfizer, PhRMA, Sanofi, Takeda mous damage in terms of lives lost, economic impact and ability to recover, just as with nuclear, chemical or cyberse- Pharmaceuticals and curity attacks.” USAgainstAlzheimer’s.

6 RESEARCH!AMERICA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Children’s Healthcare of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta grew out of the merger of Egleston Children’s Atlanta Health Care System and Scottish Rite Medical Center in 1998. In the years since, it has grown in scope—in 2012, Children’s treated patients from all 159 counties in Georgia—and in scale: The addition of Hughes Spalding Children’s • Founded: 1998 Hospital in downtown Atlanta gives Children’s three hospitals, along with 20 neighborhood locations and access to more than 1,700 pediatric physicians, Patrick Frias, MD • Location: Metro representing more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs. Atlanta • Mission: To make Patrick Frias, MD, oversees all physician 2013. Moreover, given Atlanta’s size and kids better today practices employed or managed by Chil- notorious traffic congestion, Frias said and healthier dren’s, as well as growing the relation- that it made sense to utilize several loca- ships Children’s has with the private tions. tomorrow. practice community. In addition to that, Children’s is also dedicated to research he is responsible for the many research to improve the lives of children. Frias relationships that Children’s has with re- said that Children’s recently updated clin- gional academic partners, Emory Uni- ical strategy highlights the importance of versity, Georgia Tech, the Morehouse health services and high impact, bench- School of Medicine and the University to-bedside research. of Georgia among them. The steady erosion of federal Frias’ role, as it relates “It’s very important research funding is a key to research, is—in a component to Children’s short version—to de- to be part of an membership with Re- velop and execute Chil- organization that is search!America. dren’s academic mission. really keeping “We all know federal fund- “We’ve chosen a strategy research at the ing is at risk. An organiza- at Children’s where we tion like leverage the strengths of forefront day in and Research!America—with our partners and they lever- ” day out. a focus to help maintain age the strengths of Chil- the funding for our research, dren’s,” Frias said. “Rather emphasize importance of re- than erecting research buildings that are Many Believe Government search, and be a voice for re- purely owned by Children’s, for instance, Should Prioritize STEM search—is key for us,” Frias said. we partner with Emory University to Education, Careers “It’s very important to be part of leverage all of our resources to promote an organization that is really child health research.” keeping research at the forefront 73% For example, their newest building on day in and day out.” agree Emory’s campus also houses a joint bio- Learn more at www.choa.org. 15% medical engineering department be- not sure tween Emory and Georgia Tech. While the expanse of Children’s is great, 12% so is the need for pediatric health care disagree services. Frias said that Children’s size is SOURCE: A RESEARCH!AMERICA POLL OF U.S. ADULTS justified by the number of patients it CONDUCTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ZOGBY ANALYTICS treats, nearly 350,000 unique patients in IN JANUARY 2014.

THE RESEARCH ADVOCATE 7 THE RESEARCH ADVOCATE

1101 King Street, Suite 520 Alexandria, VA 22314-2960 703-739-2577 phone 703-739-2372 fax www.researchamerica.org

COMING UP • March 12, 2014—Research!America’s Annual Tell Congress to Make Research Advocacy Awards Dinner, Washington, DC. a High Priority in the www.researchamerica.org/advocacy_awards 2015 Appropriations Process The House and the Senate have begun deliberations on funding levels for NIH, CDC, AHRQ, NSF and FDA for FY15. Pressure to cut federal spending this midterm election year is enormous, and we need advocates to reach out to their representatives. Members in both houses of Congress are accepting input from constituents on which priorities they should fight for. Let your representatives know that combating disabling and deadly diseases is a national imperative, and funding for the agencies committed to this fight should be included on their list of appropriations priorities. Contact them TODAY and share this alert on Facebook, Twitter and with your networks.

PHOTO CREDITS: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH (PAGE 2); NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES (PAGES 6 AND 8) Research!America’s Ask Your Candidates! project is the only voter education initiative focused on our nation’s commitment to medical and other health-related research. Armed with information on their candidates’ views, Americans can make educated voting decisions that “We need political leaders who are help determine the pace of medical progress for years to come. committed to improving and protecting the public's health. Not “If we ever hope to further reduce sure how improving the nation's the prevalence of cardiovascular For the 2014 elections, our award- health ranks with your elected disease, America’s leading health winning program will be expanded to officials? Ask them today.” threat, we must have the unwavering include both outreach to voters and —Georges Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, support of our lawmakers. Ask Your American Public Health Association Candidates will let us know where candidates on a national basis and in- they stand in efforts to advance district events capitalizing on local research successes to convey the science and innovative research in value of medical innovation. Sponsoring partners will be invited to cardiovascular disease.” —Nancy Brown, CEO, actively participate in these initiatives and help shape other strategies American Heart Association going forward. “The Ask Your Candidates! initiative gives candidates the opportunity to illustrate their commitment to More than 20 years of Research!America polling shows improving the health care system—a top priority of that Americans place a high value on U.S. leadership and the American people—and will provide an important investment in medical and health research. Yet in a 2011 tool for voters to help guide their choices this November.” poll, few Americans said they were very well informed —Christopher Viehbacher, CEO, Sanofi about their congressional representatives’ positions when it comes to their support of medical, health and scientific research.

JOIN US! Become a part of the only voter education initiative focused on our nation’s commitment to medical and other health-related research! Contact Carol Kennedy at [email protected] or 571-482- 2714 to become a partner.

“Research!America’s ‘Ask your Candidates!’ voter education effort WHAT CAN PARTNERSHIP DO FOR YOU? will empower Americans to elect • Be identified with Research!America as one of the organizations leaders who truly care about leading this important voter education initiative. medical progress. With federal • Visibility on every letter sent to each congressional and presidential funding for medical research faltering, it’s never been more candidate inviting their participation in this effort, alongside former important to support this time- Congressman John E. Porter and Mary Woolley, Research!America’s chair tested initiative.” and CEO, respectively. — Victor Dzau, MD, chancellor for health • Placement of your logo on the Ask Your Candidates! website. affairs, Duke University, and president and CEO, Duke University Health System • Visibility at speaking engagements and other events, both in-district and in D.C. • Prominent recognition on all print and electronic communication promoting the initiative: the Ask Your Candidates! website, Research!America newsletter, website and annual report.