The sweet smell of gingerbread houses fill the atrium
Fifty-five entries in the 13th Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest are on display in the Clinical Center atrium. Created by NIH staff, the houses were judged by employees, patients and visitors with paper ballots and on Facebook [disclaimer]. The National Human Genome Research Institute Dog Genome Project entry (below, left) was the first place paper ballot winner and the Ewok Christmas Dogs N-Cats by a team from the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (below, right) was the first place Facebook winner.
Entry themes ranged from recent movies, such as Trolls and Zootopia, to medical-related messages, such as the importance of diversity in the sciences and mental health.
Kari Wheeler, a clinical research nurse and gingerbread house entry contributor, said, "This was a huge group effort! While it was a challenge, it was nothing compared to the challenge our patients face with their illnesses. I hope the house brings them and others visiting joy and comfort."
