Mobile Mammography Screening At NIH

The George Washington Breast Cancer Center will be visiting NIH for our 2010 Spring Mammography Screening.  All NIH employees, their families, contractors, visiting scientists and others associated with NIH are eligible to participate. 

The screening dates are as follows:

Bldg. 45 (Front of Building)                                  Sept. 28
Neuroscience Center (Behind 6001Executive)       Oct. 7
Rockledge (Visitor Parking behind RKL One)        Nov. 23
Neuroscience Center (Behind 6001Executive)       Dec. 14
Bldg. 45 (Front of Building)                                  Dec. 20

The van will be on-site from 9:30am - 3:45pm taking prescheduled appointments.  Reservations can be made no more than 2 months prior of screening date.  Each screening is conducted by a female technologist, and a board certified radiologist specializing in mammography will interpret the films.  Appointments should take approximately 20 minutes.  Most insurance companies will cover the cost (approx $350) of the screening.  To see if your insurance is accepted or to make an appointment, call 202-741-3252 and leave a message with your name and phone number.  The GWU Breast Care Center will call you back and schedule your appointment.

Who is Eligible?

Any woman IS eligible if she meets the following:

  • She is age 40 or older
  • She is not pregnant
  • She does not have breast implants
  • She does not have any prior history of breast problems
  • She is not having symptoms such as a lump in either breast or unusual breast pain
  • She has not had a mammogram within the last 12 months

Individuals with disabilities who need Sign Language Interpreters and/or reasonable accommodation to participate in this screening should contact Kallie Wasserman at the R&W, 301-496-6061 and/or the Federal Relay 1-800-877-8339 or email wassermankt@mail.nih.gov.  Requests should be made at least 10 days in advance of the appointment.  For more information about mammography, breast cancer, or other types of cancer call the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER or see www.nci.nih.gov

NIH Institute Relay - A Challenge Worth Taking

On Your Mark, Get Set…Go!  It’s time for the 27th NIH Institute Challenge Relay.  The NIH Recreation and Welfare Association, members of the original NIH Health Angels and the Division of Amenities and Transportation Services of ORS, are excited to invite you to this year’s relay.  The rules are the same…the Relay consists of teams of five runners each whom run a ½ mile loop around Bldg.1.  All Institutes, Centers, Divisions, and Contractors are invited to enter as many teams as they wish.  Each team must have men and women runners with at least two runners of the same sex (you can have a team of two females-three males or three females-two males).  The team with the fastest five runners will win the honor of having their names on the Allen Lewis NIH Memorial Trophy located at the Bldg. 31 Fitness Center.  Come out and join the fun!  The race will be held on Thursday, September 23rd in front of Bldg. 1, beginning at 11:30am.  It’s time to put on your thinking caps and think creatively about your team name.  Examples from last year include: Running on Empty, Difficulty Breathing, Smells Like Gene Spirit, We’ve Got the Runs, and Pushing Our Gluteus to the Maximus.  However, the most important part of the race is to have fun and enjoy the company of your fellow NIHers.  Remember, contractor teams are welcome as well as more than one team per Institute.  There is a $10 entry fee per team.  Group leaders please e-mail Kallie Wasserman at wassermankt@mail.nih.gov with your group leader, team name, and team participants.  Volunteers will be needed, please the R&W office at 301-496-6061 or email wassermankt@mail.nih.gov if you would like to help.

The Power of Mindfulness In Reducing Stress
Training Begins September 17th

Registration has begun for fall Mindfulness & Stress Reduction class; an R&W sponsored activity. The course includes guided instructions in mindfulness meditation, gentle stretching and mindful movements, group dialogue, and development of a home practice.  The course is influenced by the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program offered by Dr. Jon Kabat Zinn for over 25 years at UMASS-Center for Mindfulness and includes influences from other master teachers such as Thich Nhat Hanh, Jack Kornfield, and Tara Brach.  This nine sessions class, including a "Mindful Day,” the class is held in Bldg. 10 CRC, Rm. 4-3330 on the NIH Bethesda campus. 

Fri. 9/17

Fri. 9/24

Wed. 9/29

Fri. 10/8

Fri. 10/15

Fri. 10/22

Sat. 10/30

Fri. 11/5

Fri. 11/12

The cost is $250 per person.  New attendees are not accepted after the first class.  The class instructor Rezvan Ameli, Ph.D. (NIMH) volunteers her services.  For more info or to apply contact Rezvan Ameli, Ph.D. amelir@mail.nih.gov. To register, contact Kallie Wasserman at 301-496-6061.

Infant Mortality 5K Run/Walk/Roll

The Infant Mortality 5K will begin at 11am on Thursday, September 16th in front of Bldg. 1 on the NIH campus.  Infant Mortality is one of the most important indicators of the health of a nation.  According to a National Center for Health Statistics data brief issued in 2008, the United States ranked 29th in the world in infant mortality.  Medical research, public health outreach, and social services have helped the overall U.S. infant mortality rate to decline during the 20th century.  In spite of this general decline, infant mortality rates for African American, Puerto Rican, and American Indian/Alaskan Native infants remain above the U.S. average of 6.7 per 1,000 live births.  The NIH is committed to conducting and supporting research that reduces and ultimately eliminates the high infant mortality rate, and the disparate rates that impact communities of color.  The NICHD invites all U.S. Department of Health and Human Services staff to come to the NIH main campus for this first-ever 5K run/walk/roll to raise awareness about infant mortality during September, which is National infant Mortality Awareness Month. Participants can come learn about infant mortality, current research and issues, and the agenda for future research efforts to further reduce infant mortality in the United States.  For more info about the race, how to register, the day’s agenda, and a course map, visit http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/meetings/2010/091610.cfm. 

This event is co-sponsored by: the Division of Special Populations (DSP), NICHD; Baltimore City Healthy Start; DHHS Office of Minority Health; First Candle; National Healthy Start; NIH Office of Research Services; and the NIH Recreation & Welfare Association (R&W).

Books Are Fun Book Fair Returns to Bldg. 31

Books Are Fun will be holding a book fair in the Bldg. 31A Lobby from 9am – 2pm, Tuesday, September 14th to Thursday, September 16th.  Come to the Book Fair and shop in the convenience of your workplace.  Save up to 70% off retail prices on an incredible selection of books for all interests and ages, as well as fine gift items.  Choose from a large selection of sports, educational and children’s books. 

 2010 R&W Seminar Series

Why a Roth IRA, Why Now? – September 7th – 12 – 1pm, Bldg. 31A Rm. 2 and September 16th – 12pm – 1pm - Bldg. 10, Rm. 2-C116 - The rules have changed for 2010.  If you’re looking for info on Roth IRA conversion strategies including rules, changes taking effect this year, reasons to consider a Roth IRA conversion, and Roth conversions re-characterization, then you should attend this special Ameriprise Financial seminar presented by Brian Thoms, CFP®, CRPC®.  This informative seminar could help you cut through the clutter and decide if a Roth conversion is right for you, understand the value of balancing taxable with tax-free income in retirement, and take full advantage of all the benefits of a Roth conversion while avoiding common pitfalls.  Find out which factors to consider before choosing a Roth Conversion and see if this strategy can work for you!  RSVP to Alicia Burrell at 240-314-4339 or Alicia.k.burrell@ampf.com.

The Benefits of Asset Allocation and ROTH IRA's in Retirement Planning - September 23rd – 12pm – 1pm - Bldg. 31A Rm. 2 -Jason Driver (Fleet Street Financial) will describe the basis of what "Asset  Allocation" is.  Learn about the differences between various asset allocation strategies, what strategies are applicable to individual’s ages based on accepted principals, the impact of certain investment funds on your portfolio and retirement plan, and how each asset class (i.e. stocks, bonds,   and cash, as well as growth vs. value and international vs. domestic) work together. RSVP to Christina Frangou at christinaf@fleetstreetfinancial.com.

Managing the Risk of an Income Shortfall In Retirement - October 7th – 12pm – 1pm – Rockledge II Rm. 9100 - Whatever your vision of retirement, it requires a combination of planning and smart income, investment, and distribution strategies to achieve and sustain it.  During this seminar we will discuss three of the critical risks investors face when they begin taking distributions from the savings they have accumulated for retirement.  These risks include:  1) longevity risk, 2) inflation or purchasing power risk, and 3) sequence of returns risk (risk of early losses at the beginning of retirement).  After we define and examine these risks, the second half of the seminar will discuss several strategies to mitigate the risk of a shortfall of income in retirement.  The seminar will be given by Jeff Seitz, CRPC ® | First Vice President – Investments and Matthew Bosley, CFP® | Financial Advisor.  RSVP to Christine Mantich at 301-230-5776 or Christine_Mantich@ml.com.

Understanding Your Federal Employee Health Benefits - October 12th – 12pm – 1pm – Bldg. 31A Rm. 2 - Open Season Enrollment is only one month away.  Open Season is the time for you to choose health, dental and vision insurance coverage for the next calendar year.  You also can choose whether to contribute to a health care flexible spending account and/or a dependent care flexible spending account.   In preparation for making your annual selections, take time to brush up on your knowledge of each component of your health benefits, including family eligibility, premiums, continuing coverage in retirement and more.  You might also want to evaluate other benefits available to you that are not a part of the upcoming Open Season; for instance, your options within the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).  RSVP to Sharon of First Command Financial at 703-418-9360.

Lessons Learned: Actions You Can Take after the Great Recession - October 19th – 12pm – 1pm – Bldg. 10 Rm. 2-C116 - During this complimentary seminar, you’ll learn ways to: find investing opportunities in today’s markets, keep emotions from affecting your financial decisions, and get back on track toward reaching your financial goals.  Space is limited.  RSVP to Crystal Rivers at 240-314-4363 or crystal.d.rivers@ampf.com. 

Turning your Savings into a Retirement Paycheck – October 28th – 12pm – 1pm - Bldg. 31A Rm. 2 - Most Americans work over 90,000 hours during their lives so it is important to spend some time on the retirement planning process.  This seminar provides a very straightforward and graphic approach to explaining retirement plan distribution options, the fundamentals of investing when approaching retirement, and some strategies to help one efficiently turn their retirement savings into an income stream for the rest of their life.  The seminar will be given by Jeff Seitz, CRPC ® | First Vice President –Investments and Matthew Bosley, CFP® | Wealth Management Advisor.  Please RSVP to Christine Mantich at 301-230-5766 or Christine_Mantich@ml.com.

Planning Your Retirement Lifestyle – Nov. 4th - 12pm – 1pm – Rockledge II Rm. 9100 – This seminar focuses on the process of constructing a financial plan to help one meet their long term goals. The seminar reviews concepts such as picturing retirement, planning retirement income, managing the transition to retirement, and the importance of choosing an investment strategy.  The seminar will be given by Jeff Seitz, CRPC ® | First Vice President – Investments and Matthew Bosley, CFP® | Financial Advisor.  RSVP to Christine Mantich at 301-230-5776 or Christine_Mantich@ml.com.

Sign Language Interpreters will be provided for all seminars on this page.  Individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation to participate in this event should contact Kallie Wasserman 301-496-6061 or wassermankt@mail.nih.gov and/or the Federal Relay 1-800-877-8339 5 days in advance.

13th Annual Bethesda Row Arts Festival
Shopping, Music, Food and More!

You are invited to join us on Saturday, October 16th from 11am – 6pm and Sunday, October 17th from 11am – 5pm for a wonderful fall weekend of shopping, food, music and more!  Each October, the streets of Bethesda Row are transformed into an outdoor art gallery of spectacular fine arts and crafts. This year many of the world's finest arts and crafts will be presented.  The Festival, underwritten by Federal Realty Investment Trust, features the work of 180 leading artists and crafters from the Mid-Atlantic and around the country.  On display will be the finest in: ceramics, drawings, fabrics, glass, graphics, jewelry, metalwork, paintings, pastels, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wood and mixed media.  The Festival has been recognized as one of the top 200 fine art shows in the United States by Sunshine Artist magazine, and the event will benefit the NIH Charities.  Festival activities will include an Art Sale benefitting the Charities, a Poster Sale, artist demonstration tent, children’s art activities, live acoustic stage performances, street performers, and high-quality outdoor food vendors.  This outdoor event is held rain or shine on Bethesda Row located on Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues, and Elm Street, east of Arlington Road. The festival is an easy walk from the Bethesda Metro station and 15 minutes from downtown Metrorail stops.  Numerous free parking garages (#49 and #57) are conveniently located.  For more info, visit www.bethesdarowarts.org.  We hope to see you there!

Back To Bethesda - Car Show and Family Day

Car owners…rev your engines!  Come see the area’s finest display of custom, classic, antique and modified cars, trucks and motorcycles.  While you’re checking out all the cool vehicles be sure to visit the vendors and celebrity judges, enter into the 50/50 raffle and enjoy kids games and family entertainment!  Join us on Saturday, October 2nd from 11am-4pm at Chevy Chase Acura/Nissan, 7725 Wisconsin Ave. Bethesda, MD.  This great event benefits the Children’s Inn at NIH which is a private, non-profit, family-centered residence for pediatric outpatients at NIH.  The Children’s Inn at the NIH is a place like home for sick children and their families.  Children come from around the world to stay together with their families in a healing environment while receiving groundbreaking treatments at the NIH. To learn more about this special fundraiser visit www.backtobethesda.org.