Loma Linda University Health recently became one of five research organizations in the U.S. that has newly attained accreditation from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP), joining the elite list of institutions accredited around the world.
To earn AAHRPP accreditation, organizations must show that they have built extensive safeguards into every level of their research operation and that they adhere to high standards for research, beyond that which is required by the U.S. government.
Michael R. Samardzija, PhD, JD, vice president for Research Affairs, says this accreditation marks an important milestone for Loma Linda University Health.
“As an organization we strive to promote, support and manage research activities and opportunities with a commitment to high ethical standards, and this acknowledgment is a testament to that,” Samardzija said.
Samardzijacredits Linda Halstead, director of responsible research, for her diligence in coordinating the requirements necessary for the accreditation.
This accreditation puts Loma Linda University Health in an elite category of 250 organizations around the world committed to AAHRPP's high standards for ethical research that prioritizes the safety and welfare of participants.