Debbie provides program management services and for the past 11 years has overseen the day-to-day activities for a health-related program managed by NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). In addition to her management responsibilities, Debbie supports various other activities including coordinating scientific working groups, providing logistics support for an NIH-funded training program, writing copy for program websites, planning and executing a scientific web-based lecture series, as well as providing surveys and completing the requisite OMB clearance paperwork.

Debbie also serves as Program Manager for the NICHD’s Virtual Events contract where she and her team manage implementation of virtual meetings for small and large programs within the Institute. In addition to managing speaker logistics, technical facilitation and live streaming, she actively supports the Institute’s goal of improving accessibility of meetings to those with visual and hearing impairments. She has earned praise from government program staff for her attention to detail, quality of work, and timeliness of project deliverables. In 2021, NICHD recognized Debbie with a Collaboration Award for her support of an initiative to advance the Institute’s mission through successful collaboration with internal and external partners. It is no wonder Debbie is so successful in exceeding client expectations as she is truly passionate about her work. When asked about the most inspiring part of her job, she responded, “While logistics might not sound exciting, our work brings some of the brightest scientists together to advance pediatric clinical pharmacology. It is satisfying to know that I play a small part in improving care to the littlest of patients.”

Before joining the project team, Debbie managed the creation of a clinical report for behavioral health software program, including writing copy, providing clinical input, coding text for developers, and coordinating meetings and calls with the project team. She also conducted web-based and in-person trainings for treatment center staff on a substance abuse assessment tool and data analysis supplements.

Debbie earned her BA in Psychology from James Madison University and MA in Forensic Psychology from Marymount University. She has volunteered in jails tutoring inmates in reading, math, and mentoring them in life skills prior to their release. Debbie hopes to have the opportunity to do so again in the future. In her spare time, she is an avid runner and enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two children.