Program Summary, Discussion Points and Brief Agenda

Research institutions must operate programs that protect the health of personnel working with hazardous biological agents and animals. While regulations and guidance documents may title these programs differently, Medical Surveillance under biosafety and Occupational Health and Safety under animal care, their foundations and expectations are functionally the same. Understanding one equips you to manage the other, with only minimal differences.

Under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (April 2024), institutions must implement Medical Surveillance Programs when conducting:

• Large-scale rDNA production, or
• Work involving Risk Group 3 or higher organisms.

In addition, the Guidelines recommend Medical Surveillance for work involving Risk Group 2 agents, which is further reinforced by the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), 6th Edition. The BMBL clearly states that a comprehensive Occupational Health Program is a fundamental component of any biosafety program, and that risk-based medical evaluations should be conducted for personnel exposed to biological agents. Specific BMBL expectations include:

• Pre-placement medical evaluations
• Periodic health assessments based on risk
• Access to immunizations (e.g., tetanus, hepatitis B, rabies)
• Evaluation following occupational exposure
• Confidentiality of health information
• Integration with biosafety training and PPE use

In parallel, institutions with animal care and use programs are required by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals to operate a robust Occupational Health and Safety Program (OHSP). These programs address both physical and biological risks and must include health evaluations for personnel with animal contact.

Importantly, OHSPs are always evaluated during AAALAC International site visits. A clear understanding of these expectations is critical to prepare for and maintain accreditation.

This session will unify both perspectives biosafety and animal care to help administrators streamline efforts, build effective programs, and reduce regulatory risk.

Agenda Highlights

• Medical Surveillance (NIH Guidelines) vs. Occupational Health (Animal Research Guidance)
• Specific expectations under BMBL 6th Edition for Risk Group 2 and above
• Required and recommended components of a compliant health program
• OHSP expectations during AAALAC accreditation site visits
• Integration of biosafety and animal care frameworks
• Common institutional challenges and practical solutions
• Open Q&A with case examples

Programs Support

Maintaining an IAA membership provides valuable benefits, including access to exclusive discounts on programs, resources, and services that enhance professional development and organizational efficiency. IAA activities are supported in part by OLAW, NIH, memberships, and event fees.

We encourage you to join or renew your membership annually. As a member, you can attend webinars for free and receive discounted attendance fees at both online and in person meetings.

IACUC Administrators Alliance:

We’re excited to share that we have successfully identified the Alliance members, along with a dedicated advisory group that will partner with the efforts of the IACUC Administrators Association’s. We are deeply grateful to everyone who expressed interest in participating, there is a place for all, and if we haven’t yet reached out to you directly, we will be doing so shortly.

As we move into the next phase later this summer, the IACUC Administrators Association will begin working closely with the Alliance to gradually increase its involvement in the community. The Alliance will serve as a vital advisory resource, highlighting emerging issues, recommending priority topics, and shaping the conversations that matter most to our field. In addition to informing strategic direction, Alliance members will actively contribute to the planning, facilitation, and delivery of future IAA events.

The IACUC Administrators Association will sponsor and support the efforts of the Alliance, helping to ensure its success in strengthening collaboration and advancing our shared goals across the IACUC community.

Memberships are important!

Support the vital work of the association while unlocking exclusive benefits designed to enhance your professional growth. By becoming a member, you ensure our ability to continue providing top-tier professional development opportunities—not just for IACUC administrators, but for anyone involved in their organization’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Program.

As a member, you’ll enjoy free access to regular webinars throughout the year, discounted rates for online and in-person virtual meetings, and a host of resources to support your career and program management goals.

Don’t miss out please secure or renew your membership today.  

Join us in shaping the future of animal care and use program compliance while reaping the rewards of IAA membership!

Presenter(s) Biographies:

Standing IAA Faculty and Facilitators

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 oversees research compliance programs for animal care and use, biosafety, lab safety, controlled substances, and autonomous systems. Over his 30+ year career, Bill has held roles including 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 (formerly Tri Bio Laboratories).

In 2005, Bill organized the first Research Administrators Best Practice Meeting, creating a platform for research oversight professionals to discuss programmatic concerns. He continues to facilitate at least five annual Best Practice Meetings focused on biosafety and animal care and use programs. In 2010, he chaired the founding committee of the IACUC Administrators Association (IAA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to education and serves as its president and board chair.

Since 2007, Bill has been an ad hoc consultant to the AAALAC Council, conducting institutional program reviews and assessments. He also served on the Council of Certified Professional IACUC Administrators (CCPIA). As an educator, Bill regularly lectures at conferences including PRIM&R, AALAS, BTAA, and C3, and facilitates IBC and IACUC Best Practice Meetings, continuing to support the IBC and IACUC administrative communities.

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.