Milestones in service to American people honored at annual ceremony (Environmental Factor, October 2019)

Each year, NIEHS employees gather to honor and thank those who reached milestones in their years of service to NIEHS and other federal agencies. Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., director of NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program, emphasized that the support they provide extends beyond the institute to the federal government and the American people.

“They trust us to do our very best,” she said. “Here at NIEHS that means conducting, funding, and supporting groundbreaking research into the causes and the prevention of disease.” Among those honored for 10, 20, 30, and 40 years of service was Birnbaum herself, whose 40 years of work as a federal scientist was given special note. On Oct. 3 — just a few weeks after the Sept. 13 event, she will join the ranks of retirees, who are also recognized each year.

“I enjoy getting together to celebrate our employees who have so much collective experience and dedication,” said Birnbaum. The event concluded with a reception of refreshments supplied by leaders of the institute.

Birnbaum, left, congratulated Yitang Yan, right, a biologist in the National Toxicology Program Laboratory, for his first decade of work as a federal scientist. (Photo courtesy of Steve McCaw)

Ten years

Andrea Adams, Mercedes Arana, Scott Auerbach, John Balbus, Oya Bermek, Chad Blystone, Quashana Brown, David Bullard, Kelly Chandler, Zhenglin Gu, Patricia Jensen, Bonnie Joubert, Christopher McGee, Mark Miller, Arun Kumar Pandiri, Rita Ross, Keith Shockley, Matthew Stout, Xuting Wang, Latonya Washington, Yitang Yan, Yingpei Zhang.

Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D. and Tonya Redfearn

Tonya Redfearn, right, from the Office of Acquisitions, received her certificate for 20 years of service from Birnbaum. (Photo courtesy of Steve McCaw)

Twenty years

Patrick Barbour, Carl Bortner, Jennifer Bradbury, Erin Dooley, Kimberly Gray, Margaret Humble, Heather Jensen, Kimberly Jones, Dorcas Joya, Paula Juras, Harriet Kinyamu, Edith Lee, Scott Masten, Kimberly McAllister, Aaron Nicholas, Frederick Parham, Tanya Redfearn, Wei Qu, Mitzie Walker, Nigel Walker, Craig Wladyka.

Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D. and Mitsue Parrish

Mitsue Parrish, right, from the Division of Extramural Research and Training, received her 30-year certificate from Birnbaum. (Photo courtesy of Steve McCaw)

Thirty years

Katarzyna Bebenek, James Bryant, Rhonda Carroll, Mary Crabtree, Norris Flagler, Melissa Gentry, Robbin Guy, Gaylia Harry, Wendy Jefferson, Deborah Kestner, Wendy Montague, Mitsue Parrish, Donna Roach, Christopher Weis, Susan Woolard.

Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D. and Rick Woychik, Ph.D.

Deputy Director Rick Woychik, Ph.D., left, said he was pleased to have the honor of presenting Birnbaum with her 40-year certificate. (Photo courtesy of Steve McCaw)