November 9, 2019 officially marks the 40^th anniversary of ORS becoming an organization. In 1979, the NIH Director developed a plan to "reorganize some of the service units so that support programs for intramural and extramural research can be coordinated within new organizational structures." The first step was the creation of the Office of Research Services, which combined the programs under the Associate Director for Research Services with the safety program from the Division of Research Services. According to the 1980 Annual Report for the Division of Research Services, this new ORS organization was responsible for the "administrative services, facility engineering services and the NIH safety programs".

Today, ORS continues to provide responsive and dependable services and support to the NIH community. ORS has even played a part in important intramural advances/discoveries, such as our contribution in helping NIH's first targeted thorium conjugate patient. ORS Director, Colleen McGowan credits the organization's success to its employees. "I know I've only been here less than a year," says Ms. McGowan, "but it's already clear to me, ORS employees are a dedicated, hardworking, customer-driven group that I'm proud to lead."

ORS Communication Director, Bradley Moss views the 40^th anniversary as a unique opportunity to engage ORS customers and stakeholders. "This not only is an opportunity to celebrate our heritage," says Moss, "but to leverage the anniversary to reinforce the value ORS provides to the NIH community." The anniversary is also an opportunity to instill a sense of pride among ORS employees. On November 13, ORS hosted a Town Hall honoring employees who have supported and been a part of the federal government for five or more years.

ORS staff will brainstorm ideas on how to further celebrate its 40^th anniversary. "Not only are we a devoted bunch, but also full of great ideas. I want to capture all those great ideas," says Ms. McGowan, "I consider everyone an integral part of how we will make ORS and NIH an even better organization." ORS plans to run its 40^th annual celebration from November 2019 through "an undetermined period" in 2020.