NIH Directors

Monica M. Bertagnolli, M.D.

Monica M. Bertagnolli, M.D.

Monica M. Bertagnolli, M.D., is the 17th director of the National Institutes of Health. She was nominated by President Joe Biden on May 15, 2023, confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 7, 2023, and took office on November 9, 2023. She is the first surgeon and second woman to hold the position. She previously served as the 16th director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Appointment of the NIH Director

The position of the NIH Director became presidentially appointed with the passage of the National Cancer Act of 1971 and Senate confirmed with the National Cancer Act Amendments of 1974.  Prior to 1971, all NIH Directors were appointed by the Surgeon General, with the exception of Robert Q. Marston, who was appointed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Acting Directors are selected by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and hold the position until the President nominates a new director who is confirmed by the Senate. 

Chronology of NIH Directors

Name In Office from To
Monica M. Bertagnolli, M.D. November 9, 2023 Present
Lawrence A. Tabak (Acting) December 20, 2021 November 8, 2023
Francis S. Collins August 17, 2009 December 19, 2021
Raynard S. Kington (Acting) October 31, 2008 August 16, 2009
Elias A. Zerhouni May 2, 2002 October 31, 2008
Ruth L. Kirschstein (Acting) January 1, 2000 May 2, 2002
Harold E. Varmus November 23, 1993 December 31, 1999
Ruth L. Kirschstein (Acting) July 1, 1993 November 22, 1993
Bernadine P. Healy April 9, 1991 June 30, 1993
William F. Raub (Acting) August 1, 1989 April 8, 1991
James B. Wyngaarden April 29, 1982 July 31, 1989
Thomas E. Malone (Acting) July 1, 1981 April 28, 1982
Donald S. Fredrickson July 1, 1975 June 30, 1981
Ronald W. Lamont-Havers (Acting) February 1, 1975 June 30, 1975
Robert S. Stone May 29, 1973 January 31, 1975
John F. Sherman (Acting) January 21, 1973 May 28, 1973
Robert Q. Marston September 1, 1968 January 21, 1973
James A. Shannon August 1, 1955 August 31, 1968
William H. Sebrell, Jr. October 1, 1950 July 31, 1955
Rolla E. Dyer1 February 1, 1942 September 30, 1950
Lewis R. Thompson February 1, 1937 January 31, 1942
George W. McCoy2 November 20, 1915 Jan. 31, 1937
John F. Anderson October 1, 1909 November 19, 1915
Milton J. Rosenau May 1, 1899 September 30, 1909
Joseph J. Kinyoun3 August 1887 April 30, 1899

1 Director, National Institutes of Health.
2 Director, National Institute of Health.
3 Director, Hygienic Laboratory.

This page last reviewed on November 9, 2023