Global Benchmark for Human Research Protection is Raised

Eight Exemplary Organizations Earn AAHRPP Accreditation

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 16, 2011— The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP) is pleased to announce that eight new organizations have been awarded Full Accreditation at the most recent meeting of its Council on Accreditation. AAHRPP’s accreditation program is the field's primary vehicle for setting uniform, high standards across the research enterprise―in both the private and non-profit sectors. Accreditation internationally recognizes individual HRPPs that have demonstrated their commitment to providing strong protections to research participants and is capable of delivering on that promise.


The list of accredited organization now includes the following exemplary oPublish Postrganizations:

• Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR 
• Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC 
• Guthrie Healthcare System, Sayre, PA 
• Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 
• Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, Minneapolis, MN 
• The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 
• Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 
• William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI

“Achieving accreditation is a process of rigorous internal review, evaluation, and improvement. AAHRPP accreditation enhances the overall quality of research by consistently applying high ethical standards and practices. When an organization earns accreditation, the global benchmark for human research protection is raised.” said Marjorie A. Speers, Ph.D., President and CEO of AAHRPP.

About AAHRPP

AAHRPP promotes high-quality research through an accreditation process that helps organizations worldwide strengthen their human research protection programs (HRPPs).

An independent, non-profit accrediting body, AAHRPP uses a voluntary, peer-driven, educational model to ensure that HRPPs meet rigorous standards for quality and protection. To earn accreditation, organizations must provide tangible evidence-through policies, procedures, and practices-of their commitment to scientifically and ethically sound research and to continuous improvement.

As the "gold seal," AAHRPP accreditation offers assurances—to research participants, researchers, sponsors, government regulators, and the general public—that an HRPP is focused first and foremost on excellence.

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