National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality: Public Members Needed
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The Council advises the Secretary of HHS (Secretary) and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on matters related to activities of the Agency to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. The Agency is seeking individuals who are distinguished in several areas, including in representing the interests of patients and consumers of health care.

Nominations should be received on or before November 20, 2009 and sent to Ms. Deborah Queenan, AHRQ, 540 Gaither Road, Room 3238, Rockville, Maryland 20850 or faxed to (301) 427-1341.

Interagency Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Coordinating Committee: Public Members Needed
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health is requesting nominations for members to serve on the Interagency Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Coordinating Committee. This Committee will coordinate information on existing activities related to breast cancer and environmental research and make recommendations to the National Institutes of Health and other Federal agencies on how to improve existing research programs.

The Committee will (1) share and coordinate information on existing research activities, and make recommendations to the NIH and other Federal agencies regarding how to improve existing research programs that are related to breast cancer research; (2) develop a comprehensive strategy and advise the NIH and other Federal agencies in the solicitation of proposals for collaborative, multidisciplinary research, including proposals to evaluate environmental and genomic factors that may be related to the etiology of breast cancer; (3) develop a summary of advances in breast cancer research supported or conducted by Federal agencies relevant to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer and other diseases and disorders; and (4) make recommendations to the Secretary regarding: any appropriate changes to research activities to ensure that federal research activities are free of unnecessary duplication of effort; public participation in decisions relating to breast cancer research to increase the involvement of patient advocacy and community organizations representing a broad geographical area; how best to disseminate information on breast cancer research progress; and how to expand partnerships between public and private entities to expand collaborative, cross-cutting research.

Committee Members will also include members of the general public, who represent individuals with breast cancer. Experience and activity on boards, committees, and/ or membership in advocacy groups dealing with breast cancer and the environment, participation in the review process for federal programs, and/or involvement with programs regarding the support of scientific research in this area should be indicated on the nomination.

Nominations received on or before December 1, 2009 will be considered in a pool of candidates gathered from numerous sources for membership on the Committee and sent to Jennifer Collins, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, P.O. Box 12233, MD K3-12, RTP, NC 27709, Phone: 919-541-0117, FAX: 919-316-4606, E-mail: collins6@niehs.nih.gov.

National Mammography Quality Assurance Advisory Committee - 2 Voting Consumer Members Needed
Food and Drug Administration

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting nominations for voting consumer representatives to serve on the National Mammography Quality Assurance Advisory Committee (NMQAAC).

The committee advises FDA on the following topics: (1) Developing appropriate quality standards and regulations for mammography facilities, (2) developing appropriate standards and regulations for bodies accrediting mammography facilities under this program, (3) developing regulations with respect to sanctions, (4) developing procedures for monitoring compliance with standards, (5) establishing a mechanism to investigate consumer complaints, (6) reporting new developments concerning breast imaging which should be considered in the oversight of mammography facilities, (7) determining whether there exists a shortage of mammography facilities in rural and health professional shortage areas and determining the effects of personnel on access to the services of such facilities in such areas, (8) determining whether there will exist a sufficient number of medical physicists after October 1, 1999, and (9) determining the costs and benefits of compliance with these requirements.

All nominations for membership should be sent electronically to CV@OC.FDA.GOV or by mail to Advisory Committee Oversight and Management Staff (HF-4), 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Members are needed by February 1, 2010.

Applications Needed for FDA Advisory Committees
Food and Drug Administration

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting nominations for voting members to serve on the Device Good Manufacturing Practice Advisory Committee, certain device panels of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee, the National Mammography Quality Assurance Advisory Committee, and the Technical Electronic Products Radiation Safety Standards Committee in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Nominations will be accepted for current vacancies and for those that will or may occur through August 31, 2010. Because vacancies occur on various dates throughout the year, there is no cutoff date for the receipt of nominations. All nominations for membership should be sent electronically to CV@OC.FDA.GOV or by mail to Advisory Committee Oversight and Management Staff (HF-4), 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 14C03, Rockville, MD 20857.

Information for consumer representatives and patient representatives is available.

Persons nominated for membership as a consumer representatives on the committee/panels must meet the following criteria: (1) Demonstrate ties to consumer and community-based organizations, (2) be able to analyze technical data, (3) understand research design, (4) discuss benefits and risks, and (5) evaluate the safety and efficacy of products under review. The consumer representative must be able to represent the consumer perspective on issues and actions before the advisory committee; serve as a liaison between the committee and interested consumers, associations, coalitions, and consumer organizations; and facilitate dialogue with the advisory committees on scientific issues that affect consumers.

For additional information and to view current vacancies on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committees visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-21558.htm.

Applications Now Accepted: Resource Persons Network
Office of Minority Health

The Resource Persons Network is a group of professionals who volunteer their services in support of the OMHRC's mission to improve the health status of racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States. Therefore, the primary goal of the RPN is to provide technical and capacity-building assistance to community-based organizations and institutions on behalf of the OMHRC for the purpose of assisting local efforts to improve minority health.

The OMHRC welcomes applications from multidisciplinary health professionals who are interested in joining the Resource Persons Network. RPN members have expertise in a variety of fields, including cancer, research, funding, and adolescent health and aging issues. The OMHRC is currently looking to increase the number of RPN members that have expertise in cultural competency and research and data analysis.

Consumer Involvement in Peer Review
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program

The unique voice and experiences of patients, survivors, family members and advocates play a pivotal role in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. As active members of the program, consumers take part in setting program priorities and making funding decisions.