Air Force research facility one of best in DOD Published July 12, 2006 By Master Sgt. Kimberly Spencer 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AETCNS) -- An Air Force research facility received accolades as one of the best in the Department of Defense during a recent inspection. The inspection is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs oversight responsibility for clinical investigation programs that use Defense Health Program funds. Health Affairs personnel work with each services' Clinical Investigation Departments to ensure that laws, directives and regulations are implemented. Especially important is congressional concern for the protection of human subjects and use of animals in military research and clinical investigations. Periodic site visits are used to review clinical investigation programs throughout the DOD. A recent site visit to Lackland Air Force Base, June 13 and 14 brought Dr. Salvatore Cirone, Health Science Policy program director, to inspect the 59th Clinical Research Squadron. Dr. Cirone praised the medical wing's clinical research program as one of the top two programs in the DOD, according to 59th CRES leadership. "It is easy to recognize a good program, an important program, when so much valuable research is conducted within a facility," Dr. Cirone said. Ongoing programs range from research required in Graduate Medical Education to intramural and multicenter studies. Dr. Cirone reported that the human and animal programs comply with all regulations and laws, and that policies reflect active and well-executed programs. He noted the wealth of information available for investigators on the clinical research Web site. The Web site can be accessed at https://kx.afms.mil/crf_lackland. "I was confident that Dr. Cirone would validate what I already knew - we have the best staff and the best clinical research program in the Air Force Medical Service, maybe even in the DOD," said Col. Douglas Apsey 59th CRES commander. "Research is a critical mission area for Wilford Hall Medical Center, and our squadron directly supports investigators who do that research." The inspection offered a review focused on the intangible aspects of the day-to-day efforts to promote high-quality and ethical research within the squadron. "Our protocol folks work hard behind the scenes to provide oversight for all research, ensuring adherence to all federal, state and DOD guidelines. They are truly the unsung heroes of clinical research and the function they perform is absolutely critical to the success of our research program," Colonel Apsey said. This inspection could be considered the capstone in a long series of major inspections on the human research side of the house, said Maj. Roy Estrada, the 59th CRES research administrator. "Our human research participant protection program received kudos during inspections by the AF Surgeon Generals Office, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Human Research Protections, the Federal Drug Administration and now Health Affairs," Major Estrada said. "I can safely say that we have an outstanding program, which is primarily due to the dedication and commitment of each Institutional Review Board member who works tirelessly, in an additional duty capacity, to review all human research. In addition, award-winning protocol office personnel provide unwavering support to the IRB and individual investigators." Dr. Hugh Harroff, the 59th CRES Operations Flight chief and laboratory animal medical officer said, "We are very proud of our program. We offer an excellent facility, state-of-the-art equipment and superbly trained technical personnel to support GME programs." In addition, the flight also trains medical personnel at all levels to perform life-saving emergency procedures that they must be able to perform here and at deployment locations around the world. "When we receive accolades such as ‘one of the best programs in the DOD' from someone of Dr. Cirone's stature and expertise, it reinforces our pride in what we do and renews our commitment to continued excellence in our program," Dr. Harroff said. That same level of excellence is shared throughout the squadron. "We do not just strive to maintain compliance; we aim to constantly improve our program to protect human research participants and support high quality research throughout the wing," said Major Estrada. "I am very proud of my staff and what they have accomplished," Colonel Apsey said.