Gates Package — page 468

com> BE Wi: > From: "Collins, Francis (NIH/OD) [E]" @od.nih.gov> To: "'Melinda French'" @mfgates.com> Bcc: "Diane Baker" @gmail.com> Subject: RE: With admiration Date: Fri, 08 Oct 2021 04:25:51 -0400 Importance: Normal Dear Melinda, Thanks for your message and your kind words. It has been a privilege to work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation over these 12 years, and I am glad to have had the chance to bring our global health efforts even closer together than ever. I will continue to seek ways to help with this mission, even after stepping down as Director. With warm personal regards, Francis From: Melinda French @mfgates.com> Sent: Thursday, October 7, 2021 4:56 PM To: Collins, Francis (NIH/OD) [E] @od.nih.gov> Cc: NIH Executive Secretariat @nih.gov> Subject: With admiration Francis, I saw the news of your stepping down from the helm of the NIH and wanted to send a note of gratitude for all you've done as Director. I know you've been a tremendous colleague and valued partner to the foundation. I've admired and appreciated your leadership both over the course of our collaboration and during the extraordinarily challenging moments the pandemic has brought. Your ability to take on vastly varied challenges and to lead across division has done so much for the world and for the inclusivity of your field. What a bar you've set for whoever comes next, and what a distance you've carried the baton they'll pick up. Thank you, for your partnership and your leadership, - Melinda French Gates