Judy Chan, Occupational Medical Service, DOHS
Judy is a nurse practitioner, and a member of the Occupational Medical Service (OMS) management team within the Division of Health and Safety (DOHS). She started in February of 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic and hit the ground running. Judy has spent most of her time helping to manage clinical operations of the NIH COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic.
Judy has lived in the DC area all her life and was raised in Silver Spring, MD. Judy worked at Suburban Hospital for 17 years and knew if she was going to change jobs, she wanted to work for NIH. A graduate of George Mason University for undergrad, Judy went to the University of Maryland, Baltimore for grad school. A fun fact - Judy played the piano competitively prior to college! She played at the University of Maryland and Baltimore Conservatory. One of these days, Judy would like to begin playing piano again. If Judy wasn't a nurse, she would be a veterinarian due to her profound love for dogs and cats. When she has 30 minutes of free time, Judy enjoys walking her dog or going to the gym.
Judy’s favorite projects and proudest moments have been working at the NIH COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic. She has enjoyed it so much because of the teamwork and collaboration involved in planning for the clinic in such a short period of time with Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS), Occupational Medical Service (OMS) and the Clinical Center Department of Clinical Research Informatics (DCRI). Once the clinic started, Public Health Service (PHS) officers and staff were always trying to find ways to improve the flow of the clinic. No matter how long their hours were, no one complained, everyone was there to work and to vaccinate the NIH community. Judy has so many fond memories that she made a photo book of her clinic experience and a collage. One of the highlights was vaccinating Vice President Kamala Harris and a clip even made it on The Jimmy Kimmel Show! Judy would like to thank everyone in leadership, DOHS, OMS, DCRI, Clinical Center Health Information Management Department, pharmacy, Fire and Rescue, PHS officers, detailed workers and volunteers who worked tirelessly during this pandemic.
Kyle Trengo, NIH Master Firefighter
Kyle serves as a Master Firefighter in the Division of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS). Along with responding to fire and emergency medical on campus, Kyle’s department handles all hazardous materials and technical rescues. Did you know that the Fire Department also supports calls in Montgomery County? Kyle’s team responds to standard fire department needs and ambulance services, giving back to the local community with approximately 2,000 calls per year.
Kyle has been with ORS for nine years and he is grateful to be a part of a complex, large entity like ORS because if it wasn’t for our supporting agencies, the mission of NIH would not be fulfilled. His favorite projects have been related to hazardous materials and the complex technical rescues. As Kyle states, “I’m a technical person and I like how a puzzle makes you think a bit differently.”
Originally from the Eastern Shore in Churchill, Maryland, Kyle is motivated every day by his two girls, aged four and seven, and his wife and learned how to work as a team through his calling. Kyle is also firefighter for the US Air Force and a Technical Sergeant in the Maryland National Guard. The proudest moment in Kyle’s career was taking on the role of President for the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local Union F271 where he enjoys watching everyone work closely together. He states, “Our union is a tight knit community that takes care of each other, which is what the fire service is based on.”
Sarah Royalty, Chief Compliance Officer and Deputy Director, Division of International Services
Sarah is from the Washington, D.C. area and earned her J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. She completed her undergraduate education in Political Science at the University of Michigan –
Ann Arbor. Sarah started working in the Office of Research Services (ORS) in 2011 after working in immigration law in the private sector. She enjoys working for ORS because of how we serve NIH with a variety of key, essential services. As Sarah details, “Dr. Collins used the phrase, ‘Silent Heroes,’ and it really speaks to the work that we do in ORS.”
She began her career with DIS as an Immigration Specialist, later moved into a Team Lead role, and became Chief Compliance Officer/Deputy Director in October 2020. DIS provides immigration services to NIH’s Institutes, Centers and Offices, working to bring in and retain foreign national scientists while ensuring NIH remains compliant with immigration law. Sarah assists the Division Director with overall DIS operations. She is responsible for quality assurance, overseeing DIS processes to ensure they comply with immigration regulations and policies. Sarah also coordinates with other NIH offices and external immigration agencies to address challenging situations and provide DIS input on prospective policy changes.
Sarah loves to run and train for races. She has completed a few marathons and countless shorter races. Although she now usually sticks to 10 miles or less, she still loves having a goal race to train for and meeting new milestones. Sarah also likes to bake, and has two nephews and a niece she adores. When she can get away, Sarah loves to explore the mountains and national parks out west. Every day, Sarah is motivated by the NIH mission, especially now as our community has worked tirelessly to overcome so many obstacles during the pandemic. She finds it humbling and inspiring to be a part of ORS and our NIH community.
