CDC creates committee to evaluate process of rewarding grants

CDC has formed a committee to consider the equitability of the agency cash awards process in response to analyses that found non-science employees in recent years have received most of the awards, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (Young, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/19).

The New York Times and the Journal-Constitution recently analyzed records of all awards of at least $2,500 received by current and former CDC employees from 2000 to July 2006.

CDC issues the awards for special acts and as annual performance bonuses.

According to the analyses, most of the 72 CDC employees who received five or more awards worked in non-science positions (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 9/18).

In response to the analyses, CDC has appointed agency CFO Barbara Harris, who since 2000 has received at least eight awards that totaled $88,394, to co-chair a committee to evaluate of the awards process.

Stephanie Bailey, who will become the new CDC chief of public health plan practice in October, also will co-chair the committee, which will include representatives from various levels of both the agency scientific and administrative staffs.

CDC spokesperson Tom Skinner said that the committee will seek to ensure the equitability, consistency, appropriateness and transparency of the awards process.

He said that Harris is "a stellar employee who is respected by many people here at CDC," adding that she "represents the financial aspect of this committee" and "stands willing and able to do whatever she can to make this process the best it can be" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/19).