The National Institutes of Health or the NIH being an internationally acclaimed federal agency for the conduction and supporting of clinical and translational medical research entertains the notion of appointing the experts in an assortment of disciplines for further developments. This notion has again been advocated with the affirmation of Dr. Joyce A. Hunter as the next deputy director of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities or the NCMHD, a distinguished component of the NIH. It is to be mentioned in this respect that Dr.    Hunter is a noted cardiovascular physiologist and also an award-winning administrator at the NIH.

It is to be noted that Dr. Hunter happens to be a renowned personality on the extramural policies of the NIH and also have a wide-ranging career in program and scientific review administration. As regards to her career path, before her present endeavor with the NCMHD she was designated as the Deputy Director in the Division of Extramural Activities at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), where she was instrumental in the coordination of scientific program policies that swayed over the various aspects of the clinical research. It was from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute where she initiated her career and by virtue of her perseverance advanced steadily from a program officer to the position of Chief of the Vascular Research Training and Career Development Group. Later she became the Chief of the Section of the Contracts, Clinical Studies and Training Scientific Review Section.

While commenting in the new designation of Dr. Joyce A. Hunter Dr. John Ruffin, MD. and   Director, NCMHD, NIH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda said, "Dr. Hunter's long experience in managing research programs at the NIH make her perfectly suited to be my deputy and to direct the day-to-day operations of the NCMHD. Her hire marks a crucial step in fulfilling our mission to promote minority health and to foster, coordinate, support and assess the NIH effort to ultimately eliminate health disparities."

When asked to comment over her new role Dr. Hunter said, "I believe strongly in the NCMHD mission." "I plan to draw upon the almost 18 years of experience I have participating in NIH extramural programs that fund research universities and medical schools to help the NCMHD realize its vision to ensure that all populations in America will have an equal opportunity to live long, healthy and productive lives," she added.