Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)

Geisinger’s Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) integrates the activities and functions of Geisinger's Institutional Review Board (IRB), Office of Research Compliance (ORC), Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP), and other review units through oversight, education and quality assurance activities, including program administration. The HRPP seeks to assure the rights and welfare of research participants and promote excellence in all aspects of research with human participants.

The HRPP does this by serving as the advocate for the rights and welfare of persons who participate in research conducted at Geisinger and all affiliate organizations for which there is an agreement to provide services related to the HRPP.

The HRPP promotes high quality, ethical research through:

• Requiring IRB review and approval for all research with human participants conducted at Geisinger prior to including human participants in any research study.
• Monitoring, evaluating and continually improving the protection of human research participants.
• Promoting compliance with relevant laws, regulations, institutional policies and professional and ethical standards.
• Responding directly to concerns of research participants.
• Addressing the needs and concerns of researchers in support of their endeavors.
• Educating investigators and research staff about their ethical responsibility to protect research participants