Office of the Ombudsman

Confidential - Neutral - Independent - Informal

NIH Ombudsman Retires; Acting Director Named

 

Kathleen Moore

 

 

 

 

 

Dear NIH Family,

Thursday, October 10, 2019, is National Ombuds Day.  On this day, we recognize the exceptional work of ombuds and conflict resolution professionals who, using standards of independence, impartiality, informality and confidentiality, assist us in addressing individual, group and systemic challenges.  This is also a time to commend our own NIH Office of the Ombudsman, Center for Cooperative Resolution, and say goodbye to a leader who has helped shape that office.

It is with fondness and gratitude that I announce the retirement of J. Kathleen Moore, Ph.D., from her position as NIH Ombudsman and Director of the Center for Cooperative Resolution (CCR), effective October 14, 2019. Kathleen has enriched the NIH community for over 30 years through her dedicated efforts in addressing individual and organizational conflict, first as a counseling psychologist, then as NIH Senior Associate Ombudsman. On January 1, 2016, Kathleen was named Acting Director and, following a nationwide search, she was named NIH Ombudsman and Director of the Center for Cooperative Resolution.

Dr. Moore’s strong behavioral approach to addressing organizational conflict is informed by her background in Neuroscience (BA), Counseling Psychology (MS), and Human and Organizational Psychology (Ph.D.). With many years’ experience in organizational conflict resolution, Dr. Moore has shaped the direction and legacy of the NIH Office of the Ombudsman and helped create and institutionalize processes for addressing scientific and workplace conflict. Dr. Moore is an expert in resolving authorship disputes and creating systemized partnership agreements for proactively addressing lab disputes.

As a gifted mediator and group facilitator, Dr. Moore has guided the Ombudsman’s Office using collaborative, creative problem resolution to address systemic and equity concerns. She was responsible for implementing programs to effect positive outcomes in NIH’s organizational life, such as the Executive Seminars, the Creative Disruptions Series, and the Peer Resolution Program. In addition, Dr. Moore has published on gender equity issues in science and has advanced the field through her reflective observer model for conflict resolution reflection.

Please join me in thanking Kathleen for her tireless and inspiring service to our community. We will miss her and wish her the best as she begins the next chapter of her life.

I have asked Julie Muroff, J.D., LL.M., to serve as the Acting Director of the NIH Center for Cooperative Resolution. Ms. Muroff has served the NIH community for 14 years in the HHS Office of the General Counsel, recently completing a 6-month assignment as the Acting NIH Legal Advisor. She is an accomplished professor, presenter, and practitioner in conflict management/alternative dispute resolution, with extensive experience as a seasoned mediator, facilitator, and executive coach. Ms. Muroff is well known to CCR through initiatives within and beyond NIH, and through her past service on detail to CCR as an Associate Ombudsman.  Join me in welcoming her to the role and giving her our full support.

 

Sincerely,

Tara A. Schwetz, Ph.D.
Associate Deputy Director, NIH