Title:                           IACUC Administrators BP Meeting; The Essentials

Location:                    Graduate Cincinnati Hotel

                                    151 Goodman Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45219

Secure Lodging:        Please note the meeting will be held at the Graduate Cincinnati Hotel in Cincinnati, OH. A block of rooms has been reserved for you convenience.  Hotel reservations MUST be made through the following link as the number of hotel rooms reserved as part of the conference impact the IAA’s contract with the meeting vendor. Click below to make your hotel reservations, or call “Reservations Direct”:  844-888-4723 and mention the program title “CCHMC IACUC Meeting”.    

CCHMC ORCRA IACUC MEETING

Meeting Support       Cincinnati Childrens’ Hospital, IAA, and OLAW

Background

The IACUC Administrators Association (IAA) is alliance of IACUC Administrators that strongly advocate for the animal care and use administrative community.  The IAA facilitates the sustainable development of IACUC administrative professionals, and the ongoing advancement of institutions’ animal care and use programs (ACUP).  

The IAA provides administrators professional development opportunities primarily through IACUC Administrators’ Best Practice (BP) Meetings and webinars.  BP meetings are facilitated by co-moderators and invited guest speakers.  BP meeting discussions investigate and evaluate the specific mechanics of various ACUP processes.

Meeting

Introduction:

Join us for an immersive one-and-a-half-day professional development opportunity designed specifically for Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP) professionals. The "IACUC Administrators Best Practice Meeting: The Essentials" will focus on the core requirements and best practices for using vertebrate animals in research, instruction, and testing activities. This program will cover key regulatory frameworks, ethical considerations, and administrative responsibilities to ensure compliance and promote excellence in animal care and use programs. Participants will engage in interactive discussions, and networking opportunities to enhance their understanding and the implementation of regulations governing the care and use of vertebrate animals in research, teaching and instruction. Attendance to this program will be limited to approximately 35 individuals.

Discussion topics and proposed agenda items*

• Please note:  The agenda was developed to expand and strengthen the expertise of IACUC professionals, including administrators, committee members and compliance directors. During the registration process (or send Bill Greer an email (wggreer@umich.edu) attendees are encouraged to identify specific topics that they would like to discuss.

This program will delve into the essentials of IACUC operations, focusing on best practices, regulatory compliance, and ethical considerations. Participants will engage in facilitator-led discussions to enhance their understanding and implementation of the regulations.

Key topics include:

1. The origin of the regulations, and reasoning for governing research animal use.
2. An overview of the federal regulations and policies governing vertebrate animal research.
3. The responsibilities of the Institution, IACUC, and Attending Veterinarian.
4. The protocol template and addressing special considerations.
5. Essential components of the protocol review and approval processes.
6. Conducting semi-annual inspections and the ACUP review.
7. Quality Assurance Programs (also known as PAM programs to some).
8. Addressing allegations of noncompliance.
9. Harmonizing compliance (e.g., Animal Care and Biosafety) programs.
10. Occupational Health and Safety Programs, and
11. Strategies for effective communication and coordination within the IACUC framework.

This meeting is designed to equip IACUC administrators with the knowledge and skills necessary to support their institutions' animal research programs effectively. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your professional expertise and network with peers in the field.

Co-Facilities

Bill Greer, Assistant Vice President for Research, University of Michigan

Bill graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 1985 with a degree in Microbiology. He currently oversees various research compliance programs, including animal care and use, biosafety, lab safety, controlled substances, and autonomous systems research. His previous roles include Associate Director for Research Compliance, IACUC Vice-Chair, and Biosafety Committee Chair at Penn State, as well as production manager and safety director at Intervet. Bill has over 35 years of experience in managing animal care and biosafety compliance programs. In 2005, he organized the first research administrators Best Practice Meeting and continues to facilitate annual meetings. He chaired the founding committee for the IACUC Administrators Association (IAA) in 2010 and serves as its president and board chair. Since 2007, Bill has been an ad hoc consultant to AAALAC, performing institutional reviews. He was also a member of the Council of Certified Professional IACUC Administrators (CCPIA) and regularly lectures at various professional venues, including PRIM&R, AALAS, and BTAA.

Ron E. Banks, DVM:  received his veterinary degree from Auburn University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, and retired a Colonel from the United States Army Veterinary Corps.  After postings as the Director, Center for Comparative Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado; and Director, Office of Animal Welfare Assurance at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; and the Director, Division of Comparative Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; he is currently retired.  Along his professional journey he has contributed as Council Member on AAALAC’s Council on Accreditation; Chairman of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee; Board Member for the IACUC Administrator’s Association; and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.  Dr. Banks is board certified with the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine; the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine; and he is a Charter Diplomate of the American College of Animal Welfare.