"The White House plans to nominate Monica M. Bertagnolli, a Boston cancer surgeon who became director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) last fall, to lead the National Institutes of Health, according to people familiar with the situation.

The sprawling federal agency has not had a permanent director since December 2021, when Francis S. Collins, the longtime head of NIH — known for his landmark genetics discoveries and ability to cajole funding from Congress — stepped down. Lawrence A. Tabak, an NIH administrator, has been serving as acting director.

If nominated, Bertagnolli, who was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after assuming her leadership role at the NCI, would have to be confirmed by the Senate. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bertagnolli has impressed the White House and other officials with her hard work and ability to get things done, according to those familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the nomination."

Laurie McGinley and Dan Diamond report for the Washington Post April 19, 2023. [2]