HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson to Speak at Opening of Expanded Children's Inn at NIH

4/28/2004

From: Anne Swire of the Children's Inn at NIH, 301-451-9453 or aswire@mail.nih.gov; Web: http://www.childrensinn.org

News Advisory:

On Wednesday, May 5th U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, along with National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Elias Zerhouni, will participate in the opening of a new wing at the Children's Inn at NIH. This new facility will provide a home-like environment for an additional 22 families of children who are being treated for critical illnesses at the National Institutes of Health. Families contributed their ideas to create the public spaces and amenities in the new wing.

WHAT: Opening Ceremonies for the expansion of the Children's Inn at NIH and interview opportunities with children and their families.

WHO: Speakers at the opening ceremonies include:

Cokie Roberts, Mistress of Ceremony, and Inn Board Member

Secretary Tommy Thompson, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, Director, National Institutes of Health

Dr. Philip Pizzo, Dean, Stanford School of Medicine and Founder The Children's Inn at NIH

Debbie Dingell, Dedication Committee, Inn Founder and Board Member

Karyn Frist, Dedication Committee, Inn Board Member

Dr. Bradley T. Sheares, Merck & Co., Inc., President US Human Health

Bob & Scott Vogel, Inn Family (father and son)

WHEN: May 5 at 4 p.m.

WHERE: The Children's Inn at NIH, 7 West Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814

About the Children's Inn at NIH

The Children's Inn is a privately funded residence that offers a free, family-centered environment for children of all ages who are being treated for critical illnesses at the National Institutes of Health, the world's premier biomedical research center. Since its opening in June of 1990, The Children's Inn has hosted more than 6,000 families from all 50 states, 57 foreign countries, and the two U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico and Guam.