Van Nevel Retires as NCI Communications Chief

BETHESDA, Md—J. Paul Van Nevel ended a 26-year career at the National Cancer Institute on Dec. 31, when he retired as associate director for cancer communications. He immediately began a new career as a communications consultant, with NCI as a client.

NCI director Richard D. Klausner, MD, praised Mr. Van Nevel at the National Cancer Advisory Board meeting and thanked him for his contributions to the Institute. Dr. Klausner noted that Mr. Van Nevel would “help us negotiate the transition to the post-Paul Van Nevel era at NCI.”

Mr. Van Nevel joined NCI as deputy director of communications in 1973, following 5 years in media relations at Johns Hopkins. He was named head of NCI’s communications office in 1974. Nelvis Castro, chief of NCI’s health promotion branch, will serve as acting associate director for cancer communications.