# Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications

> research and development division of the United States National Library of Medicine

**Wikidata**: [Q136086861](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136086861)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lister-hill-national-center-for-biomedical-communications

## Summary
The Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC) is the research and development division of the United States National Library of Medicine. Established in 1968, the center conducts research in biomedical informatics to develop innovative solutions for complex challenges facing researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals. It is located in Bethesda, Montgomery County, Maryland, and serves as a vital component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC).
- **Classification:** A research institute and the R&D division of the United States National Library of Medicine.
- **Inception:** Established on August 3, 1968, by a joint resolution.
- **Location:** Headquarters are in Bethesda, Montgomery County, United States.
- **Parent Organization:** United States National Library of Medicine (NLM).
- **Leadership:** Kin Wah Fung was named Director on July 28, 2024.
- **Namesake:** Named after J. Lister Hill.
- **Field of Work:** Biomedical informatics.
- **Website:** https://lhncbc.nlm.nih.gov/

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications?
A: The LHNCBC functions as the research and development division of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. It focuses on biomedical informatics to create innovative solutions for researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals.

### Q: When was the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications founded?
A: The center was established on August 3, 1968, following a joint resolution.

### Q: Who oversees the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications?
A: The center is a division of the United States National Library of Medicine. As of July 2024, the director is Kin Wah Fung.

## Why It Matters
The Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications represents the forward-looking edge of the National Library of Medicine. While the NLM is famous for its vast databases and historical collections, the LHNCBC is the engine driving the future of how that data is utilized. By specializing in biomedical informatics—the science of applying information to biomedicine—the center solves complex problems related to data retrieval, clinical decision support, and health communications.

Its work is critical for modernizing healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that the immense amount of biomedical knowledge generated globally is accessible and usable for practical health outcomes. Through its Applied Clinical Informatics Branch (ACIB) and other research initiatives, the LHNCBC bridges the gap between raw scientific data and the professionals who need it to save lives and advance medical science.

## Notable For
- **R&D Leadership:** Serving as the dedicated research and development arm of the world's largest medical library.
- **Biomedical Informatics:** Pioneering the application of information science within the context of biomedicine.
- **Legislative Origin:** Being established specifically by a joint resolution in 1968, highlighting its federal importance.
- **Clinical Impact:** Developing innovative solutions specifically tailored for the complex challenges faced by clinicians and healthcare professionals.
- **Digital Presence:** Maintaining active open-source contributions (GitHub) and educational outreach (YouTube) to disseminate its research findings.

## Body

### Organizational Structure and Mission
The Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC) is a distinct research institute operating within the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM). Its core identity is that of a research and development division. The organization focuses on the field of biomedical informatics, defined as the science of information as applied to or studied in the context of biomedicine.

The center's mission is executed through various branches, including the Applied Clinical Informatics Branch (ACIB). This branch specifically focuses on developing innovative solutions for biomedical informatics challenges encountered by researchers, clinicians, and health care professionals.

### History and Governance
The LHNCBC was officially established on August 3, 1968, authorized by a joint resolution. It is named in honor of J. Lister Hill. The center is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, within Montgomery County.

**Leadership Timeline:**
- **Director:** Kin Wah Fung.
- **Appointment Date:** July 28, 2024.

### Digital Resources and Identifiers
The LHNCBC maintains a significant digital footprint to support open science and accessibility.
- **Official Website:** https://lhncbc.nlm.nih.gov/
- **Open Source Code:** The organization maintains a GitHub repository under the username `LHNCBC`.
- **Multimedia:** It operates a YouTube channel (ID: `UCdK6AUqnLwSixFeOwBQ_Lhw`) which, as of late 2025, hosts content related to its research activities.

### Academic and Library Classification
The center is widely indexed across global knowledge bases:
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n50057086
- **ISNI:** 0000000121629703
- **VIAF ID:** 135494197
- **GND ID:** 1015544-2

It is recognized as an authoritative source by publications such as *Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine* and the *American Journal of Cardiology*.

## References

1. [About LHNCBC](https://lhncbc.nlm.nih.gov/LHC-about/about.html)
2. [Source](https://orf.od.nih.gov/AboutORF/BFM/Pages/38ABeth.aspx)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Library of Congress Name Authority File
5. The Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications
6. [National Library of Medicine Buildings. United States National Library of Medicine](https://www.nlm.nih.gov/about/vfacilities.html)
7. Library of Congress Authorities
8. Integrated Authority File
9. [Source](https://lhncbc.nlm.nih.gov/LHC-publications/pubs/ListerHillNationalCenterforBiomedicalCommunicationsAnnualReportFY2014.html)
10. [Kin Wah Fung, MD, Named Director of the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s National Library of Medicine (NLM). United States National Library of Medicine. 2024](https://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/LHNCBC_Director_Kin_Wah_Fung.html)
11. [Source](https://lhncbc.nlm.nih.gov/LHC-about/directors-page.html)
12. YouTube API