March 19, 1974

Dr. Robert Stone

Director

National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland 20010

Dear Dr. Stone,

I was delighted to hear that Dr. Norman Kretchmer has been under
serious consideration for the position of Director of the National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Dr. Irving Schulman
Suggested that it might be appropriate for me to comment on his
qualifications.

This is a very easy letter to write, for I can hardly think of
anyone more appropriately qualified for that position than Dr. Kretchmer,
To an unusual, perhaps unique, degree he combines training, experience,
reputation and a high order of performance in every aspect of the challenges
that face work in child health and human development. His investigative
work is an outstanding example ~- or rather considerable set of examples --
of the combination of insightful basic research and its application to
important clinical problems. His studies on the maturation of enzyme
systems in the newborn infant are the foundation of perinatal medicine
today. He has been conscientiously and effectively involved in the health
and nutrition problems, especially of children, in the less developed
countries. He has built one of the strongest departments of pediatrics —
viewed from an educational, clinical service as well as research viewpoint —-
in the country in his work here at Stanford. He approaches the administration
of research in the field of child health with a level of informed zeal
that could scarcely be matched anywhere. I know he will pursue his duties
with great insight and devotion and he will, of course, enjoy the respect
of his colleagues throughout the world. In his attachment to the basic ethos
of science and of medicine he will undoubtedly be impatient with people
of shorter view or of a lower standard of public de@ication, but only to
the degree that would be justifyed for any person who took seriously his
oath for public service.

I think that on all sides we will be fortunate to have his energies
devoted to this important role.

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

JL/rr