Griffin P. Rodgers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Griffin Rodgers
|
|
---|---|
![]() |
|
Education | Brown University (BS, MS, MD) Johns Hopkins University (MBA) |
Known for | Research on sickle cell anemia |
Awards | Mastership from the American College of Physicians (2005) |
Scientific career | |
Institutions | National Institutes of Health National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases |
Griffin P. Rodgers is a leading doctor and scientist. He is the director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This is one of the 27 institutes that make up the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Rodgers is also known for his important research and treatments for a blood disease called sickle cell anemia.
Education and Training
Dr. Rodgers went to Brown University for his college degrees and his medical degree. He also earned a business degree from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in 2005.
He is a hematologist. This means he is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the blood. He is certified in different areas of medicine, including internal medicine and emergency medicine.
Working at the NIH
Dr. Rodgers first joined the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1984. The NIH is a very important government agency. It does a lot of research to improve people's health.
He became the Chief of the Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch in 1998. In 2001, he became the Deputy Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). In 2007, he became the permanent director of the NIDDK. This means he helps guide a lot of research about diseases like diabetes and blood disorders.
Important Research
Dr. Rodgers is a physician-scientist. This means he treats patients and also does scientific research. He studies diseases that affect bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made.
His most important work has been on the molecular genetics of blood disorders. He is especially known for his work on sickle cell anemia. He helped create a treatment called hydroxyurea therapy. This medicine helps many people with sickle cell anemia feel better and live healthier lives. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved this treatment in 1998.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Rodgers has received several honors for his important work. He was awarded a Mastership from the American College of Physicians in 2005.
He also received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 2011.