2022-25435. Solicitation of Nominations for Membership To Serve on the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality

AGENCY:

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION:

Request for nominations.

SUMMARY:

HRSA is seeking nominations of qualified candidates for consideration for appointment as members of the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM or Committee). ACIMM advises the Secretary of HHS (Secretary) on department activities, partnerships, policies, and programs directed at reducing infant mortality, maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, and improving the health status of infants and women before, during, and after pregnancy. HRSA is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to fill open positions on the ACIMM.

DATES:

Written nominations for membership on the ACIMM must be received on or before January 23, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Nomination packages must be submitted electronically as email attachments to Vanessa Lee, MPH, the ACIMM's Designated Federal Official, at: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Vanessa Lee, MPH, Designated Federal Official, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18N84, Rockville, Maryland 20857; 301-443-0543; or [e-mail]. A copy of the ACIMM charter and list of the current membership may be obtained by accessing the ACIMM website at https://www.hrsa.gov/​advisory-committees/​infant-mortality/​index.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The ACIMM was established in 1991 and advises the Secretary on department activities, partnerships, policies, and programs directed at reducing infant mortality, maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, and improving the health status of infants and women before, during, and after pregnancy. The Committee provides advice on how to coordinate federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governmental efforts designed to improve infant mortality, related adverse birth outcomes, and maternal health, as well as influence similar efforts in the private and voluntary sectors. The Committee provides guidance and recommendations on the policies, programs, and resources required to address the disparities and inequities in infant mortality, related adverse birth outcomes and maternal health outcomes, including maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. With its focus on underlying causes of the disparities and inequities seen in birth outcomes for women and infants, the Committee advises the Secretary on the health, social, economic, and environmental factors contributing to the inequities and proposes structural, policy, and/or systems level changes. The ACIMM shall meet approximately four times per year, or at the discretion of the Designated Federal Officer in consultation with the Chair.

Nominations: HRSA is requesting nominations for voting members to serve as Special Government Employees (SGEs) on the ACIMM to fill open positions. The Secretary appoints ACIMM members with the expertise needed to fulfill the duties of the Advisory Committee. Information about SGE membership on the ACIMM is set forth in the ACIMM charter. Nominees sought are medical, technical, or scientific professionals with special expertise in the field of maternal and child health, in particular infant and/or maternal mortality and related health disparities; members of the public having special expertise about or concern with infant and/or maternal mortality; and/or representatives from such public health constituencies, consumers, and medical professional societies. Interested applicants may self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or organization.

ACIMM consists of up to 21 members appointed by the Secretary for a term of up to 4 years. Individuals selected for appointment to the Committee will be invited to serve for up to 4 years. Members appointed as SGEs receive a stipend and reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses incurred for attending ACIMM meetings and/or conducting other business on behalf of the ACIMM, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5703 for persons employed intermittently in government service.

The following information must be included in the package of materials submitted for each individual nominated for consideration: (1) A statement that includes the name and affiliation of the nominee and a clear statement regarding the basis for the nomination, including the area(s) of expertise and/or experience that may qualify a nominee for service on the ACIMM, as described above; (2) confirmation the nominee is willing to serve as a member of the ACIMM; (3) the nominee's contact information (please include home address, work address, daytime telephone number, and an email address); and (4) a current copy of the nominee's curriculum vitae or resume. Nomination packages may be submitted directly by the individual being nominated or by the person/organization recommending the candidate.

HHS endeavors to ensure that the membership of the ACIMM is fairly balanced in terms of points of view represented and that individuals from a broad representation of geographic areas, gender, and ethnic and minority groups, as well as individuals with disabilities, are considered for membership. Appointments shall be made without discrimination on the basis of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status.

Individuals who are selected to be considered for appointment will be required to provide detailed information regarding their financial holdings, consultancies, and research grants or contracts. Disclosure of this information is required in order for HRSA ethics officials to determine whether there is a potential conflict of interest between the SGE's public duties as a member of the ACIMM and their private interests, including an appearance of a loss of impartiality as defined by federal laws and regulations, and to identify any required remedial action needed to address the potential conflict.

Authority: ACIMM is authorized by section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), as amended. The Committee is governed by provisions of Public Law 92-463, as amended, (5 U.S.C. app. 2).

Maria G. Button,

Director, Executive Secretariat.