Information for Physicians

The goal of St. John’s Mercy Research Institute is to provide the research community at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center with outstanding administrative, informational, systems and logistical support.

If you are planning a research project, please review the Steps for Initiating a Research Project procedural document. If you have questions regarding the process or require assistance, please contact the Office of Research Administration at 314-251-6841.

St. John’s Mercy Research Institute works closely with the following entities to facilitate research at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center:

Office of Research Administration

The Office of Research Administration (ORA) consists of research professionals who serve as liaisons with physicians, clinical investigators, regulatory agencies, external sponsors and Medical Center administration to facilitate successful research projects.

ORA staff members provide:

• Information and assistance with the research application process
• Expertise regarding institute policies, regulatory agencies and research compliance
• Coordination with the St. John’s Mercy Legal and Finance departments
• Clinical Research Services Agreements
• Contract pricing for St. John’s Mercy services
• Statistical consulting in study design and implementation.

Institutional Review Board

Under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an appropriately constituted group that has been formally designated to review and monitor research involving human subjects. In accordance with FDA regulations, an IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or disapprove research. This group review serves an important role in the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects.

The purpose of IRB review is to assure, both in advance and by periodic review, that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in the research. To accomplish this purpose, IRBs use a group process to review research protocols and related materials (e.g., informed consent documents and investigator brochures) to ensure protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects of research.

Donald York, Ph.D., is chairman of the IRB at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center and director of St. John’s Mercy Research Institute. Dr. York may be reached at 314-251-6453 or donald.york@mercy.net. The St. John’s Mercy IRB performs a critical oversight function by providing:

• IRB review of all research studies involving human subjects
• Approval/disapproval of (or requests for modifications to) research projects
• Reviews of compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations
• Education of principal investigators and research coordinators.

St. John’s Mercy Research Committee

The St. John’s Mercy Research Committee functions as an advisory committee to the IRB in reviewing applications for research projects. The Research Committee is responsible for:

• Research policy development for St. John’s Mercy Medical Center
• Reviews of research project applications
• Recommendations to the St. John’s Mercy IRB of research projects to be supported
• Reviews of the effectiveness of present policies and recommendations for policy changes.

Committee Members:

Robert Taylor, M.D., critical care medicine physician and medical director of St. John’s Mercy Research Institute

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