{"id":12740,"date":"2017-09-15T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-09-15T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov\/?p=12740"},"modified":"2022-07-12T10:36:04","modified_gmt":"2022-07-12T14:36:04","slug":"hosting-the-secretary-of-the-smithsonian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov\/2017\/09\/15\/hosting-the-secretary-of-the-smithsonian\/","title":{"rendered":"Hosting the Secretary of the Smithsonian"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Jeffrey S. Reznick<\/em> ~<\/p>\n

David J. Skorton<\/a>, Secretary of the Smithsonian and a board-certified cardiologist, recently honored the National Library of Medicine (NLM) with a visit to learn about our historical collections and exhibitions. Given our successful engagement with the Smithsonian\u2019s National Museum of American History in both the display of Civil War nurse Amanda Akin\u2019s diary in the Albert H. Small Documents Gallery<\/a>, and the creation of the popular traveling banner exhibition From DNA to Beer: Harnessing Nature in Medicine and Industry<\/em><\/a>, it was also a chance to discuss future collaborative opportunities.<\/p>\n

As Secretary, Dr. Skorton oversees 19 museums and galleries, 21 libraries, the National Zoo and numerous education and research centers, including the Smithsonian Astrophysics Observatory, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Under his leadership, a new strategic plan has been developed with a focus on convening critical conversations about topics of vital public interest. An example of this was the first-of-its-kind Earth Optimism Summit on Earth Day weekend 2017, which brought together scientists, thought leaders, conservationists, and students to share conservation and sustainability solutions that have worked and can work on a larger scale. The strategic plan also calls for increased outreach and attention to the relevance and impact of the Smithsonian\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n

During his visit, Patricia Tuohy, head of the NLM\u2019s Exhibition Program, engaged with Dr. Skorton on a discussion of the exhibition development process. She then led the Secretary on a tour of our traveling banner exhibition Pictures of Nursing<\/em><\/a>, based on the NLM\u2019s Zwerdling postcard collection, spanning a century of nursing imagery and demonstrating how nurses and nursing have been the frequent subjects of postcards, whose images are informed by cultural values; ideas about women, men, and work; and by attitudes toward class, race, and national differences.<\/p>\n

\"People <\/a>
NLM Director Dr. Patricia Flatley Brennan, Dr. Skorton, and Patricia Tuohy, Head of the NLM Exhibition Program, discussing the NLM traveling banner exhibition Pictures of Nursing (shown in the background) and NLM traveling exhibition services. Photo by Stephen J. Greenberg, NLM <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Taking <\/a>
Dr. Skorton and Dr. Stephen J. Greenberg, Head of the NLM\u2019s Rare Book and Early Manuscripts section, examining the NLM\u2019s oldest book, Razi\u2019s Hawi\u0304 fi\u0304 al-tibb, from 1094. Photo by Jeffrey S. Reznick <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

Stephen J. Greenberg, head of NLM\u2019s Rare Books and Early Manuscripts section, offered Dr. Skorton a look at of some of the Library\u2019s most historically-significant items, through a selection which demonstrated the vast scope and variety of NLM\u2019s history of medicine collections.<\/p>\n

Among the items Dr. Greenberg showed Dr. Skorton were the library\u2019s oldest book, Razi\u2019s Hawi\u0304 fi\u0304 al-tibb <\/em>[Comprehensive Book on <\/em>Medicine<\/em>], dated to 1094; a Latin translation of the Avicenna Canon <\/em>produced in the Low Countries c. 1450; the Tashri\u0304h\u0323 al-badan<\/em> [Anatomy of the Human Body<\/em>], a very rare Persian illustrated anatomy text by Mans\u0323u\u0304r ibn Muh\u0323ammad ibn Ah\u0323mad c.1488<\/a>; NLM\u2019s copy of the Vesalius De humani corporis fabrica libri septem<\/em> (1543)<\/a> [On the fabric of the human body in seven books] with its hand-written poem by Philip Melanchthon, and Gautier D\u2019Agoty\u2019s spectacular color mezzotint anatomy atlas from 1745<\/a>. Rounding off the selection was Nobel Prize Winner Marshall W. Nirenberg<\/a>\u2019s original genetic code summary chart<\/a> dating from the 1960s.<\/p>\n

\"Illuminated <\/a>
Tashri\u0304h\u0323 al-badan, 1488 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"A <\/a>
Tashri\u0304h\u0323 al-badan, 1488 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Color <\/a>
Table 16 in Anatomie generale…, by Jacques Fabian Gautier d\u2019Agoty, 1752 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Color <\/a>
Table 10 in Anatomie generale…, by Jacques Fabian Gautier d\u2019Agoty, 1752 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"A <\/a>
Andreas Vesalius <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Illustration <\/a>
Frontispiece of De Fabrica by Andreas Vesalius <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"A <\/a>
Nirenberg’s handwritten genetic code chart, 1965. http:\/\/profiles.nlm.nih.gov\/ps\/retrieve\/ResourceMetadata\/JJBCCW<\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

Joining Dr. Skorton on his tour was NLM Director Dr. Patricia Flatley Brennan. Together, they discussed a variety of topics ranging from the importance and promise of data science in the medical enterprise, to the contributions that cultural organizations of all kinds can make to scientific discovery, and to inspiring and nurturing future generations of researchers of all disciplines. \u201cI am proud that the NLM stands with other federal agencies like the Smithsonian to ensure the preservation and accessibility of the knowledge of society,\u201d Dr. Brennan said.<\/p>\n

Upon the conclusion of his visit, Dr. Skorton remarked, \u201cThe American people are lucky to have such a comprehensive source of medical knowledge at their disposal. I look forward to finding more projects on which the Smithsonian can work with the National Library of Medicine.\u201d He subsequently tweeted about his appreciation of the NLM and its collections:<\/p>\n

\"Tweets: <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"People <\/a>
NLM Director Dr. Patricia Flatley Brennan and Dr. Skorton. Photo by Stephen J. Greenberg, NLM <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

We thank you, Dr. Skorton. We were very happy to host you, and we look forward to keeping in touch and to future engagements with the Smithsonian.<\/p>\n

The Smithsonian Institution<\/a> is the world\u2019s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 19 museums and the National Zoo\u2014shaping the future by preserving our heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world. The Institution was founded in 1846 with funds from the Englishman James Smithson (1765\u20131829)\u00a0according to his wishes \u201cunder the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.\u201d We continue to honor this mission and invite you to join us in our quest.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Portrait<\/a>Jeffrey S. Reznick, PhD, is Chief of the History of Medicine Division at the National Library of Medicine.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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