Dear NIH Family,

From September 15 through October 15, the National Institutes of Health joins the nation in celebrating and commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month. This year’s theme, Hispanics: Be Proud of Your Past and Embrace the Future, invites us to reflect on the numerous accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans who enrich our society and help us build a better, healthier, future for all.

Hispanic and Latino Americans have had a profound influence on our country. At NIH, we are thankful for and inspired by the diversity of our workforce—including many races, ethnicities, cultures, faiths, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and backgrounds. As the nation looks to NIH to “turn discovery into health” for every American, we are reminded that this diversity is part of what makes us capable and resilient.

This month, we acknowledge these vital contributions and celebrate the legacy of Hispanic and Latino American service. I invite you to learn about the NIH Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion’s (EDI) campaign recognizing the inspiring work of our Hispanic and Latino colleagues who are embracing the current COVID-19 health crisis, contributing to NIH’s mission, as always, with power dedication and resilience.

Help us support our Hispanic and Latino Portfolio and the work we are doing to highlight and promote diversity and inclusion at NIH. For more information, contact Gerard Roman EDI’s Hispanic and Latino Portfolio Strategist, at 301-827-4677, or roman@od.nih.gov .

Sincerely yours,

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.
Director