Collins gets bipartisan praise as he steps down from NIH

It’s the end of an era at the National Institutes of Health.

Francis Collins, the NIH director, announced on Tuesday that he is stepping down from his position after serving at the agency for almost 30 years.

“It has been an incredible privilege to lead this great agency for more than a decade,” Collins said in a statement.

“I love this agency and its people so deeply that the decision to step down was a difficult one, done in close counsel with my wife, Diane Baker, and my family,” he said, adding that he is “proud of all we’ve accomplished.”

Collins said, however, that he believes that “no single person should serve in the position too long, and that it’s time to bring in a new scientist to lead the NIH into the future.”

Collins, 71, has served as the head of NIH for more than 12 years and is the agency’s first director to serve under three presidents.

President Biden will nominate a new director, who will have to be confirmed by a vote in the Senate.

“Millions of people will never know Dr. Collins saved their lives,” Biden said in a statement on Tuesday, calling him “one of the most important scientists of our time.”

Big picture: Collins achieved the rare feat of getting high praise from both parties. “Dr. Collins is the only presidentially appointed NIH Director to serve more than one administration — a testament to the confidence and respect he garnered on both sides of the aisle,” said Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).