CFS Advisory Committee Nominees Sought by DHHS
August 2010

The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee (CFSAC) provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services via the Assistant Secretary for Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on issues related to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). These include: factors affecting access and care for persons with CFS; the science and definition of CFS; and broader public health, clinical, research and educational issues related to CFS.

The committee is comprised of 11 voting members appointed by the Secretary of Health to serve from the public. Representatives from five federal agencies serve in an ex-officio (non-voting) capacity. Five members of the CFSAC have terms that will expire on April 1, 2011: Dr. Ronald Glaser, Dr. Arthur Hartz, Dr. Leonard Jason, Dr. Nancy Klimas and Dr. Christopher Snell (currently serving as CFSAC chairman).

On August 3, a notice in the Federal Register announced the solicitation of nominations for the committee. It is copied verbatim below. Nominations can be submitted by any person or organization and there are no stated limits to the number of nominations that can be made. All nominations must be submitted in writing and must be received by the deadline, September 15, 2010 at 5:00 P.M. (Eastern daylight time).

Individuals who have been nominated as a result of past solicitations must be nominated again during this cycle in order to be considered. All appointees will be evaluated for conflicts of interest and then cleared for service under the regulations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The CFIDS Association of America has submitted multiple nominations in response to each solicitation made, and will do so again in response to this solicitation. We’ll post a list of nominees in CFIDSLink and on our Facebook page and we encourage the nomination of as many qualified individuals as possible.

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-19025.htm

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Solicitation of Nomination for Appointment to the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science.

ACTION: Notice.

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 217a, section 222 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended. The committee is governed by the provisions of Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.

SUMMARY: The Office of Public Health and Science, Office on Women's Health, HHS, is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as a member of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee (CFSAC). CFSAC provides science-based advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Assistant Secretary for Health, on a broad range of issues and topics pertaining to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). CFSAC, which was formerly known as the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Coordinating Committee, was established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on September 5, 2002. Several Committee member appointments are scheduled to end on April 1, 2011. Nominations of qualified candidates are being sought to fill future vacancies.

DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no later than 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at the address listed below.

ADDRESSES: All nominations should be mailed or delivered to Wanda K. Jones, Dr.P.H., Executive Secretary, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee; C/O Office on Women's Health; Department of Health and Human Services; 200 Independence Avenue, SW.; Room 712E; Washington, DC 20201. E-mail delivery of nominations will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wanda K. Jones, Dr.P.H.; Department of Health and Human Services, C/O Office on Women's Health; 200 Independence Avenue, SW.; Room 712E; Washington, DC 20201; please refer all inquiries to cfsac@hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CFSAC was established on September 5, 2002. The Committee was established to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Health, on a broad range of topics including (1) the current state of the knowledge and research about the epidemiology and risk factors relating to chronic fatigue syndrome, and identifying potential opportunities in these areas; (2) current and proposed diagnosis and treatment methods for chronic fatigue syndrome; and (3) development and implementation of programs to inform the public, health care professionals, and the biomedical, academic, and research communities about chronic fatigue syndrome advances.

Nominations

The Office on Women's Health is requesting nominations to future committee member vacancies for the CFSAC. The positions are scheduled to become vacant on April 1, 2011. The Committee is composed of seven scientists with demonstrated expertise in biomedical research and four individuals with demonstrated expertise in health services, insurance, or voluntary organizations concerned with the problems of individuals with CFS. The vacant positions include the biomedical research and health services categories.

Individuals selected for appointment to the Committee will serve as voting members. Individuals selected for appointment to the Committee can be invited to serve terms of up to four years. Committee members receive a stipend for attending Committee meetings and conducting other business in the interest of the Committee. Committee members also are authorized to receive per diem and reimbursement for travel expenses incurred for conducting Committee business. To qualify for consideration of appointment to the Committee, an individual must possess demonstrated experience and expertise in the designated fields or disciplines, as well as expert knowledge of the broad issues and topics pertinent to chronic fatigue syndrome.

Nominations should be typewritten, and the original nomination and three copies submitted in one package. The following information must be part of the package submitted for each individual being nominated for consideration: (1) A letter of nomination that clearly states the name and affiliation of the nominee, the basis for the nomination (i.e., specific attributes which qualify the nominee for service in this capacity), and a statement that the nominee is willing to serve as a member of the Committee; (2) the nominator’s name, address, and daytime telephone number, and the home and/or work address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the individual being nominated; and (3) a current copy of the nominee's curriculum vitae. Federal employees should not be nominated for consideration of appointment to this Committee.

The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of HHS Federal advisory committees is fairly balanced in terms of points of view represented and the committee’s function. Every effort is made to ensure that a broad representation of geographic areas, females, ethnic and minority groups, and people with disabilities are given consideration for membership on HHS Federal advisory committees. Appointment to this Committee shall be made without discrimination on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status. Nominations must state that the nominee is willing to serve as a member of CFSAC and appears to have no conflict of interest that would preclude membership. Potential candidates are required to provide detailed information concerning such matters as financial holdings, consultancies, and research grants or contracts to permit evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest.

Dated: July 28, 2010.
Wanda K. Jones,
Designated Federal Officer, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 2010-19025 Filed 8-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-42-P

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