status report - Office of Dietary Supplements - National Institutes of ...

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In its first three years, the ODS has made significant progress in addressing the
congressional mandates specified in the DSHEA. One purpose mandated by DSHEA is for ODS
“to promote scientific study of the benefits of dietary supplements in maintaining health and
preventing chronic disease and other health-related conditions.” From the outset, the ODS
Director made a commitment to incorporating the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS) customer service plan into all ODS activities. This plan strives to provide standards of
quality and customer service within government that equal the best in the private business sector.
This approach has guided the development of the ODS strategic plan, as well as all other
activities undertaken by the office. The major accomplishments of the ODS from 1995 through
spring 1998 are described below.
Incorporation of DHHS Customer Service Plan
Shortly after the ODS was authorized, Secretary Donna E. Shalala, DHHS, integrated
new customer service standards into the agency’s mission “to protect and promote the health,
social, and economic well-being of all Americans in a way that provides the highest quality
service.” This customer service plan, authorized in August 1995, was in response to Executive
Order 12862, “Setting Customer Service Standards,” which called for the federal government to
become customer-driven in order to achieve the finest standards of quality for the American
people. Each agency was to develop, publish, and make readily available to the public its own
customer service plan with specific standards of performance.
The ODS has adopted the DHHS customer service philosophy and has incorporated it
into its own operating plan. Its commitment to this approach was demonstrated through a
strategic planning process in which ODS convened a series of seven cross-cutting planning
meetings comprised of representatives from the public, government, industry, and scientific
communities (see Development of Strategic Plan and Mission Statement). During these
meetings, the ODS sought input regarding the development of its mission statement, scientific
priorities, and strategic plan. Continuing this approach, the ODS maintains an open dialogue with
its constituents regarding all ODS activities and has striven to cultivate effective partnerships
that will promote scientific excellence and benefit the health of the American public.
Establishment of Ad Hoc Advisory Group
During the first year of its operation, a principal goal of the ODS was to inform the
biomedical, professional, and industry communities about the new office and to begin forging
partnerships for future scientific activities. The ODS Director maintained an intensive agenda
that included delivering more than 35 presentations at national and international scientific and
public meetings. Each presentation included a request that individuals from academia, industry,
government, and the public participate in the development of the ODS strategic plan.
Professional groups were identified that represented the major scientific and public interests in
the field of dietary supplements. These groups were then formally requested to recommend
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