Committees of the Dean

Executive Education Committee

Executive Education Committee

I. Charge

The Executive Education Committee (EEC) functions as deliberative and representational body and serves as the principal governing committee with oversight of the MD program curriculum including its design, management, integration, evaluation, enhancements, and related policies. It has responsibility to ensure strategic alignment of the curriculum with institutional and medical education mission and goals. The EEC consists of the Executive Education Committee and Standing Subcommittees that report to the committee. It is responsible to receive, review, and approve reports emanating from standing subcommittees reporting to the committee. It is responsible to conduct annual reviews of required modules, courses, clerkships, phase, and overall curricular reviews according to the curriculum program evaluation plan. The EEC has final authority on all decisions and recommendations related to the MD program curriculum and related policies. The committee has responsibility to provide regular updates and annual reports on its decisions and recommendations to the Dean for Medical Education.

The Executive Education Committee standing subcommittees include representation from the faculty, students, and medical education and are charged as follows:

The Curriculum Steering Subcommittee serves as the primary subcommittee of the EEC. It is charged to provide administrative leadership, oversight, and coordination of EEC subcommittee work and reporting to the EEC. The subcommittee is chaired by the Senior Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs.

Pre-Clerkship Curriculum (Phase 1) Subcommittee is responsible for design, implementation, operations, procedures, evaluation and quality improvement of the Pre-Clerkship Phase. The subcommittee is chaired by the Director of the Pre-Clerkship Curriculum.

Clinical Curriculum (Phase 2) Subcommittee is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, operations, procedures and quality improvement of the clerkship phase of the curriculum, including all curricular elements within this phase. The subcommittee is chaired by the Director of Clinical Curriculum.

Curriculum Integration Subcommittee is responsible for oversight of curricular integration of the ASCEND ThinQ curriculum, scholarly projects, and co-curricular curriculum. The subcommittee is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, operations, procedures and quality improvement of this curriculum. The subcommittee is chaired by the Director of Integration and Transitions Phase.

Student Affairs Subcommittee is responsible for oversight and coordination of curriculum, policies, and enhancements on matters affecting the well-being of the student body. The subcommittee is chaired by the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs

Assessment and Evaluation Subcommittee is responsible for the continuous, data-informed monitoring and improvement of student assessment and curriculum evaluation processes across all phases of the medical education program. The subcommittee is chaired by the Associate Dean of Assessment and Evaluation.

II. Composition and Voting Rights

The Executive Education Committee will be composed of:

- Student, Phase 2 (Fall) and Phase 3 (Spring) – M3 (Single vote)
- Student, Phase 3 – M4 (Single vote)

In addition to their EEC role, these two EEC student members also serve as co-leaders of the Student Advisory Group (SAG). In this capacity, they coordinate student input across all phases of the curriculum, ensure representation from module, clerkship, and AOC student representatives, and bring forward student perspectives to the appropriate EEC subcommittees. This dual role strengthens alignment between the EEC and SAG, ensuring consistent, structured student advocacy throughout the governance process.

F. Ex-Officio Members (4-non-voting): Members who hold specific administrative roles within Medical Education, MD program and EEC subcommittees serve in an ex-officio, non-voting, role. These roles do not have fixed term limits, recognizing the ongoing need for their expertise and institutional knowledge in support of EEC decision making. Four administrative leaders will attend all committee meetings: Dean for Medical Education, Senior Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs, Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Senior Associate Dean for Admissions and Recruitment. Other administrative members of Medical Education will be invited in an ex-officio capacity as needed to inform committee deliberations.

E. Faculty Administrative Liaison to the Committee Chair (1-non-voting): One Curricular Affairs administrative faculty serves as a liaison between Curricular Affairs and the committee chair. The purpose of this role is to provide a communication and information support link with Curriculum Steering Committee to ensure the chair’s readiness to oversee committee review and decision making in regard to all information, reports, policy, LCME accreditation and compliance agenda items coming before the committee.

III. Meetings

The Executive Education Committee shall have regularly scheduled monthly meetings a minimum of 10 times each academic year.

MD and MD-PhD Admissions Committees

MD and MD-PhD Admissions Committees

The MD program and the MD-PhD program each have an Admissions Committee and a Selection Subcommittee.

MD Admissions Committee

Charge

The MD Admissions Committee is charged with evaluating applicants for admission to the MD program and is responsible for:

1. Screening and interviewing applicants
2. Conducting final evaluation, discussion, and voting on the acceptability of applicants to the MD program

The selection of individual medical students for admission is not influenced by political or financial factors.

The MD Admissions Committee has final authority for making all admissions decisions. The committee has responsibility to report to the Dean for Medical Education.

Composition
The MD Admissions committee will consist of:

1. Two co-chairs:
  1. The Senior Associate Dean for Admissions and Recruitment and
  2. The Co-Chair, MD Admissions Committee
2. No fewer than 50 faculty, who will be representative of the full-time basic science, clinical and education faculty, and voluntary clinical faculty.
3. No fewer than 20 senior medical students.
4. Up to 10 Residents or Fellows in training from across the Health System
5. Up to 3 admissions team professionals from Medical Education and Graduate Education

The MD Admissions Committee will only discuss, evaluate and vote on an applicant if a quorum of 20 members is present. A vote will only be held if more than half of the quorum consists of faculty members.

Appointment

- Co-Chairs -- The Senior Associate Dean for Admissions and Recruitment and the Co-Chair of the MD Program Admissions Committee are appointed to serve as co-chairs by the Dean for Medical Education.
- Faculty -- On an annual basis, the Executive Committee of the Faculty Council will issue a call to all School faculty seeking applications for service on the MD Admissions Committee. Faculty may be self or peer-nominated. The Executive Committee or a designated subcommittee of the Faculty Council will oversee the review of all applicants and will appoint new members. The term of appointment will be one year.
- Medical students will be nominated by the Senior Associate Dean for Admissions and Recruitment and will be appointed by the Dean for Medical Education. The term of appointment will be one year.
- Residents and fellows are nominated by the Senior Associate Dean for Admissions and Recruitment and will be appointed by the Dean for Medical Education. The terms of appointment will be one year.
- Admissions team professionals serve as ex-officio committee members and are appointed by the Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Recruitment.

The Executive Committee of the Faculty Council or a designated subcommittee of the Faculty Council will evaluate faculty members of the MD Program Admissions Committee on a yearly basis pursuant to the Admissions Committee Code of Conduct and annual performance, and may have their appointments renewed based on a favorable evaluation.

II. Selection Subcommittee of the MD Admissions Committee

Charge

The Selection Subcommittee of the MD Admissions Committee is charged with:

- Using the evaluations from the MD Admissions Committee to inform both the timing and the quantity of admissions decisions, including acceptances, rejections, and alternate list decisions. The acceptability of each applicant is determined by the full MD Admissions Committee.

- Reviewing and approving all policies related to the process of admitting students to the MD program and, in conjunction with the MD-PhD Admissions Committee, for all policies related to the process of admitting students to the MD-PhD program.

Composition

The Selection Subcommittee of the MD Admissions Committee is composed of three ex-officio members: the Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Recruitment; the Co-Chair of the MD Admissions Committee; and the Dean for Diversity Programs, Policy, and Community Affairs or a designee. In addition, at least 5 faculty members from the Medical School Admissions Committee serve on the Selection Subcommittee.

Appointment

On an annual basis, the Executive Committee of the Faculty Council or a designated subcommittee of the Faculty Council will review and appoint candidates for the Selection Subcommittee. The term of appointment will be one year.

III. MD-PhD Admissions Committee

Charge

The MD-PhD Admissions Committee is charged with evaluating applicants for admission to the MD-PhD program and has the following responsibilities:

1. Screening and interviewing applicants;
2. Conducting final evaluation, discussion, and voting on the acceptability of applicants to the MD-PhD program; and
3. Incorporating the MD Admissions Committee process into the MD-PhD Admissions Committee process so that each applicant is concurrently evaluated for acceptability to the MD program and the PhD program.

Composition

The MD-PhD Admissions Committee will consist of:

The chair, the Director of the MD-PhD Program
No fewer than 20 faculty members who will be representative of the graduate school and medical school faculty. This faculty complement will include the Senior Associate Dean for Admissions and Recruitment, and both Associate Directors of the MD-PhD program
Up to four MD-PhD students at or above the third year in the program
Up to four residents or fellows in training from across the Health System
Up to two admissions team professionals from Medical Education and Graduate Education

The MD-PhD Admissions Committee will only discuss, evaluate and vote on an applicant if a quorum of 15 members is present. A vote will only be held if more than half of the quorum consists of faculty members.

Appointment

- Chair -- The Director of the MD-PhD Program, who is appointed by the Dean.
- Faculty -- On an annual basis, the Executive Committee of the Faculty Council will issue a call to all the School faculty seeking applications for service on the Admissions Committee. Faculty may be self or peer-nominated. The Executive Committee or a designated subcommittee of the Faculty Council will oversee the review of all applicants and appoint new faculty to the committee. The term of appointment will be one year. Faculty members will be evaluated on a yearly basis pursuant to the Admissions Committee Code of Conduct and annual performance and may be renewed pending a positive review.
- MD-PhD students will be nominated by the Director of the MD-PhD Program. The term of appointment will be up to two years.
- Residents and fellows will be nominated by the Director of the MD-PhD Program. The term of appointment will be one year.
- Admissions team professionals serve as ex-officio committee members and are appointed by the Director of the MD-PhD program.

Selection Subcommittee of the MD-PhD Admissions Committee

Charge

The MD-PhD Selection Subcommittee of the MD-PhD Admissions Committee is charged with using the evaluation from the MD-PhD Admissions Committee to inform both the timing and the quantity of Admissions decisions, including acceptances, rejections and alternate list decisions. The acceptability of each applicant is determined by the MD-PhD Admissions Committee.

Composition

The Selection Subcommittee of the MD-PhD Admissions Committee is composed of five ex-officio members: the Director of the MD-PhD Program, the two Associate Directors of the MD-PhD Program, the Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Recruitment of the medical school, one designated by the Dean for Diversity Programs, Policy, and Community Affairs, and up to two additional faculty members.

Appointment

On an annual basis, the Executive Committee of the Faculty Council or a designated subcommittee of the Council will review and appoint candidates for the Selection Subcommittee. The term of appointment will be one year.

Student Promotions Committee

Student Promotions Committee

The Student Promotions Committee for the MD Program at the Icahn School of Medicine is charged with:

Reviewing evidence and making associated determinations regarding all medical student academic performance including those not meeting the medical school standards of academic performance
Reviewing evidence and making associated determinations regarding medical students not meeting the medical school standards of professional behavior.
Recommending the advancement of medical students who have completed the medical school’s requirements to commence next academic phase.
Recommending to the Dean that the degree of Doctor of Medicine be awarded to those medical students who have satisfactorily completed the requirements of medical school education program in accordance with the requirements of the Board of Regents of the State of New York and the faculty of Icahn School of Medicine, and satisfactorily fulfilled the ethical and moral responsibilities inherent in the practice of medicine.
The committee has responsibility to report to the Dean for Medical Education.

The medical school standards and procedures to be followed by the Student Promotions Committee are set forth in the medical school academic policies and the Medical Student Handbook

Composition

Voting members of the Committee will be:

A chairperson
15 faculty members at-large
Two students in their final year of medical school
A maximum of two recent alumni (residents, fellows or junior faculty members who graduated from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Ex Officio non-voting members will be:

The Dean for Medical Education
The Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs
The Senior Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs
The Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Recruitment
No more tha three Student Affairs leaders at the assistant director, associate director or director role who are appointment by the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs

Any faculty or administrator may be invited as a guest at the chair's discretion if their presence is deemed important for providing additional context in support of decisions. Guests would be present to provide said evidence and/or answer questions but would not be present during, nor participate in deliberations or voting.

Decisions of the Promotions Committee shall be made by a majority vote. A quorum is defined as nine (or 50% of) appointed voting members. A quorum is required for any vote.

Appointment

The Committee Chair: The Chair will be nominated by the Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs from among the pool of at-large members and appointed by the Dean for a term of three years.
Faculty: Faculty Council, or a designated subcommittee of the Council will issue an annual call to all Mount Sinai Health System faculty seeking applications for service on the Promotions Committee. Faculty members may be self or peer nominated. The Executive Committee of the Faculty Council will oversee the review of all applicants and selection of nominees for appointment by the Dean. The term of appointment will be three years.
Students: The Student Council will issue an annual call to student entering their final year of medical school. Student representatives will be selected by the student body and will serve a one-year term.
Alumni Representatives: As needed, the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs will issue a call to all recent alumni at the Mount Sinai Health System. The Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs will oversee the review of all applicants and selection of nominees for appointment by the Dean. The alumni representative(s) will serve a one-year term, which is renewable if the individual remains a resident, fellow or junior faculty member.

Following review by the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the Dean may extend the tenure of the Chair or other Committee members by no more than two additional terms.

Committee on Faculty Appointments, Promotions and Tenure

Composition

The Committee will consist of a chairperson and up to 29 additional faculty members, all of whom hold the rank of Professor with or without Tenure or Clinical Professor with or without Tenure. Department Chairs and Institute Directors may not serve on the Committee. The committee membership will be broadly representative of:

The full-time and voluntary faculty
The academic departments in the School
The major scholarly pursuits reflected in the academic departments, including but not limited to basic science, translational and clinical research, clinical care, education, epidemiology and computational biomedical applications

Appointments

On an annual basis, the Executive Committee of the Faculty Council will issue a call to all Mount Sinai Health System faculty seeking applications for service on the Committee on Appointments, Promotions and Tenure. Faculty may be self or peer-nominated.

The Faculty Council or a designated subcommittee will oversee the review of all applicants and will make recommendations to the Appointments, Promotions and Tenure Committee Chair on candidates for committee membership. The Committee Chair will in turn recommend to the Dean some or all of the candidates, based on candidate qualifications and the need for a committee composition that is diverse in gender, ethnicity, field of expertise and department. The Dean will appoint the Committee chair and members. Terms of appointment will be for three year terms and will be renewable.

The chair and all members of this Committee will be appointed by the Dean. Terms of appointment will be for five years and will be renewable. In unusual circumstances, the Dean may determine that the unique contributions of a particular member justify an additional term of appointment. In the event that a member fails to attend sixty percent of scheduled meetings in any year, the chairperson will request that the absent member be replaced.

Updated April 2019

Charge to Committee on Faculty Appointments, Promotions and Tenure:

To ensure the fair and impartial disposition of all faculty appointment, reappointment, promotion and tenure recommendations for Icahn School of Medicine in accordance with procedures outlined in Chapter V of the Faculty Handbook.
To critically evaluate all recommendations for:

Appointment, reappointment, promotion and tenure to/at the rank of Associate Professor, Professor, Research Professor, Associate Clinical Professor and Clinical Professor.
Appointment and promotion to/at the rank of Instructor, Assistant Professor, Clinical Instructor and Assistant Clinical Professor for candidates who do not possess a doctoral degree.

To perform preliminary evaluation of candidates described in Section B-i above, and to communicate with the Chair when an application is deemed to be premature. In such cases, the Chair may withdraw or modify the application and will be advised of areas to be strengthened prior to submission of another application.
To establish ad hoc committees to assist in the evaluation of:

All appointment, promotion and tenure nominations to/at the rank of Professor and Clinical Professor
All tenure nominations at the rank of Associate Professor Ad hoc committees will be assembled as described in Chapter IV of the Faculty Handbook.

To establish standing subcommittees, including but not limited to basic science and clinical subcommittees, that will:

Receive the recommendations of ad hoc committees
Review all candidates as described in Section B-i above
Make recommendations to the full committee for applications requiring a full committee vote as described in Section f-i below
Vote upon applications that do not require a full Committee vote, as described in Section f-ii below

To vote, by confidential ballot, to approve or disapprove each individual recommendation described in Section C-5 above.

The full Committee will vote on: all applications reviewed by an ad hoc committee; all appointments or promotions to Associate Professor in the Investigator Track
The relevant standing subcommittee(s) will vote upon applications which do not fall within Section f-i

A quorum for voting purposes will be 51 percent of members
To recommend to the Dean endorsement or non-endorsement of all appointments, promotions and tenure actions of faculty members of the Icahn School of Medicine that require committee action as described in Section f-i and f-ii above
To critically evaluate all recommendations submitted by Department chairperson for reduction in rank of part-time/voluntary faculty
To recommend to the Dean endorsement or non-endorsement of a reduction in rank of part-time/voluntary faculty
To record all faculty appointments and promotions that do not require committee action
To communicate with a Department Chair when his/her recommendation for appointment, promotion or tenure is not approved by the Committee
To hear appeals by a Department Chair when a candidate is not approved by the Committee
To serve as a resource to Chairs seeking guidance on title, track and/or tenure options relating to specific cases

Updated August 2018

Committee on the Student/Trainee Learning Environment

Committee on the Student/Trainee Learning Environment

The Committee on the Student/Trainee Learning Environment oversees mistreatment reports and interventions across all learner/trainee communities: medical and graduate students, house staff, and post-doctoral fellows. The Committee has the authority to set policies related to mistreatment of leaners/trainees, and to recommend formal investigation and disciplinary action to the Dean when appropriate.

Charge

The Committee is charged with oversight of learner/trainee mistreatment and has the following responsibilities:

To collect and review mistreatment data in real-time when appropriate from the MD program, PhD programs, Masters programs, GME Office, and Post-Doctoral Affairs Office
To intervene in real-time when a report of mistreatment reaches the threshold of requiring a formal meeting with the accused and the person to whom (s)he reports
To conduct a quarterly review of all mistreatment data, identifying and addressing trends and developing plans for individual, departmental, and institutional intervention when appropriate
To generate and disseminate reports on a quarterly basis to students, residents, postdoctoral fellows, the Dean, Department Chairs, Institute Directors, Chief Medical Officers and presidents of Mount Sinai Health System member hospitals, and leaders of the Departments of Nursing and Social Work.
To report back to complainants if the complainant’s identity is known

The Committee (as a group or through designated members) will review all reports of alleged mistreatment and unprofessional behavior directed at students/trainees and will handle or refer as appropriate consistent with institutional policies. Matters involving the clinical environment will be handled through the quality assurance process of the respective hospital. In cases where the report does not identify the person alleged to have engaged in unprofessional behavior, the report will be forwarded to the Chair of the relevant department and may also be reported to the Dean of the Medical School.

Composition

The Committee will be composed of:

Committee Chair – This role will rotate among the Dean for Medical Education, the Dean for Graduate Medical Education, and the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Each will serve for a term of one year.
Faculty – two clinical faculty and two basic science faculty will serve two-year terms
Students/Trainees – two representatives each from the medical school, graduate school, house staff, and post-doctoral fellows, for a total of eight students and trainees.
- Terms
  - i. medical students will serve as long as their term as Student Council Mistreatment representatives
  - ii. graduate students will serve a two-year term
  - iii. house staff will serve a one-year term
  - iv. post-doctoral fellows will serve a one-year term
Ex-officio Members – the Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Dean for Medical Education, Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Dean for Diversity Affairs, Chief Wellness Officer, Dean for Gender Equity in Science and Medicine, Title IX Coordinator, Director of the Ombuds Office, Chair of the Physician’s Wellness Committee, Chief Medical Officer of the Mount Sinai Hospital, and a representative from Human Resources will serve as ex-officio members of the Committee on the Student/Trainee Learning Environment.

All Committee members will have voting rights.

Appointments to Committee

Faculty – On an annual basis, the Executive Committee of the Faculty Council will issue a call to all Mount Sinai Health System faculty, seeking applications for service on the Committee from faculty whose time is devoted primarily to clinical care (2 faculty) or to research (2 faculty). Faculty may be self or peer-nominated. The Executive Committee of the Faculty Council or a designated subcommittee will oversee the review of all applicants and selection of nominees for appointment by the Dean. The term of appointment will be two years.
Students/Trainees
- Medical and graduate school students will be appointed by the Student Council
- House staff will be appointed by the House staff Council
- Post-doctoral fellows will be appointed by the Post-Doc Executive Committee
Ex-officio Members – Ex-officio members will serve by virtue of their titles/roles

Meetings

The Committee on the Student/Trainee Learning Environment shall have regularly scheduled quarterly meetings.

Updated September 2019

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Composition

This committee is mandated by the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Public Health Service to review biomedical and behavioral research involving human subjects in order to protect the subjects' rights and welfare. This committee is also mandated by the Food and Drug Administration to review research proposals that involve investigational drugs and devices in human subjects. As mandated, this committee will consist of physician/scientists of diverse backgrounds who have the professional competence necessary to review specific research activities, at least one member (lay member) whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas, and at least one member who is not otherwise affiliated with Icahn School of Medicine.

Appointments
The chairperson, vice-chairperson and the eighteen physician/scientist members of this committee will be appointed by the Dean. The chairperson and vice-chairperson will be the Associate Deans for Research. The physician/scientist members will be appointed for a term of five years. The lay members will be appointed by the chairperson, each for a term of unspecified duration.

Charge to Institutional Review Board:

To hold regularly scheduled meetings in order to review all research proposals that involve human subjects
To approve, require modification in (to secure approval), or disapprove research activities that involve human subjects
To ensure that information given to subjects as part of informed consent is in accord with the guidelines of the U.S. Public Health Service
To ensure that risks to research subjects are minimized, that any risks are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits, that selection of subjects is equitable, and that informed consent will be obtained and documented (where applicable)
To notify investigators and the institution, in writing, of its decision to approve or disapprove proposed research, and if disapproved, to suggest modifications which are required to secure approval
To conduct continuing review, at least annually, of research involving human subjects
To certify within sixty days of submission of an application to the Department of Health and Human Services that the application has been reviewed and approved by the IRB
To report to the appropriate institutional officials and the Secretary of the Office for Protection from Research Risks, Department of Health and Human Services any serious or continuing noncompliance by investigators with the requirements and determinations of the IRB
To periodically report on the activities of this committee through the Dean to the Board of Trustees

Institutional Animal Care And Use Committee (IACUC)

Mandate and Composition

All institutions conducting research, teaching or testing involving live animals are required by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWAR)(Â§ 1.1) and the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) policy (IV.A.3) to have an IACUC. The mandate of the IACUC is to oversee the institution's animal care and use program and to ensure compliance with the AWA, AWAR, PHS policies and the NRC Guide for the Care and Use of Animals (Guide). As required by federal regulations and the Guide, the MSSM IACUC, in collaboration with the Employee Health Service, also oversees the Institutional Occupational Health and Safety Program for personnel working with animals.

The composition of the IACUC is mandated by federal regulations. Accordingly, the IACUC of the Icahn School of Medicine (ISMMS) includes: a) a chairperson, b) the chief Veterinarian and director of the animal facilities, c) practicing scientists experienced in research involving animals and d) one person not affiliated with the Institution. At the discretion of the dean, the ISMMS IACUC may also include other members, e.g., an ethicist or the Institutional Biosafety Officer.

Appointments
Members of the IACUC are appointed by the Dean of the School of medicine or by the Institutional Official (IO) designated by the Dean. The chair is appointed for a renewable term of five years. The scientists are appointed for a renewable term of two years. The lay member is appointed for a term of unspecified duration. The Veterinarian and Director of the Center for Comparative Medicine and Surgery must serve as a member of this committee.

Functions of the IACUC
The mandate of the IACUC is:

To review at least semiannually the institution's program for humane care and use of animals
To inspect at least semi-annually all of the institution's animal facilities, including satellite facilities and study areas where live animals are used
To submit semi-annually to the Dean or the IO reports of the IACUC evaluation of the program for the use and care of animals, results of inspections and recommendations for plans to correct deficiencies
To review concerns involving the care and use of animals at the institution
To make written recommendations to the dean or the IO regarding any aspects of the institution's animal program, facilities, or personnel training
To review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval) or withhold approval of those components of teaching, clinical or research proposals, new and ongoing, that are related to the care and use of animals
To review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval) or withhold approval of proposed significant changes regarding the use of animals in ongoing activities
To suspend an activity involving animals that does not conform to federal regulations and to the institution's Animal Welfare Assurance filed with the U.S. Public Health Service
To certify to the appropriate local and federal authorities that all aspects of the use of animals described in a teaching, clinical or research proposal have been reviewed and approved by the IACUC

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

Composition

All institutions receiving any funding from the NIH for research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are federally mandated to adhere to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.

The composition of the IBC is mandated by NIH Guidelines. Accordingly, the IBC of the Icahn School of Medicine (ISMMS) includes:

Biosafety Officer
physician / scientists with expertise in recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule technology
at least two members not affiliated with ISMMS who represent the interest of the surrounding community
Director of Center for Comparative Medicine and Surgery

Additionally, the ISMMS IBC includes physicians / scientists of diverse backgrounds experienced in occupational health and other research fields conducted at ISMMS.

Appointments

Members of the IBC are appointed by the Dean of Research Operations and Infrastructure or by the Institutional Official (IO) designated by the Dean. The chair and vice-chair are appointed for a renewable term of a minimum of three years. The scientist / physician members are appointed for a renewable term of three years. The non-affiliated members are appointed for a term of unspecified duration. The institutional Biosafety Officer (BSO) must serve as a member of the committee.

Charge

The responsibilities of the IBC include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Review research conducted at ISMMS involving rDNA, blood borne pathogens, oncogene, xenotransplantation, stem cell, select agents and toxins, nanotechnology, and toxic chemicals or “Dual Use” research conducted at ISMMS. These reviews shall include:

1. Independent assessment of containment levels.
2. Review of adequacy of facilities, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and training of PI and lab personnel for research involving significant biohazards.Verification and assignment of the classification of the rDNA research in accordance with the NIH Guidelines.

2. Notify the Principal Investigator of the results of the IBC review and approval/non-approval.

3. Set appropriate containment levels for experiments as specified in the most recent edition of the NIH Guidelines.

4. Provide for the adjustment of containment levels for certain experiments as specified in the NIH Guidelines and CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Medical Laboratories (BMBL, latest edition).

5. Conduct periodic reviews of rDNA, pathogen, oncogene, toxin and toxic chemical research conducted at the ISMMS for compliance with the NIH Guidelines and CDC/NIH BMBL.

6. Review and approve emergency plans covering spills and personnel contamination from containment laboratories.

7. Report any significant problems with or violations of the NIH Guidelines and any significant research-related incidents or illnesses to the appropriate institutional official and the NIH within 30 days (NIH OSP Incident Reporting Template).

8. Provide an open forum for the discussion of biosafety concerns and assist in the resolution of any biosafety issues brought before the committee.

9. Provide training for members of the committee.

Financial Conflict of Interest in Research Committee

Composition
The Committee will consist of up to 13 members: up to 10 faculty, one of whom will serve as Chair; Chief Compliance Officer; Director of the Office for Industrial Liaison; Vice Chair of Institutional Review Board. Faculty members will have experience as investigators in human subjects research, and will represent both basic science and clinical departments. The Financial Conflict of Interest in Research Officer and in-house counsel will serve as ex-officio members.

Appointments
The Chairperson and other faculty members will be appointed by the Dean to serve three- to five-year that shall be overlapping to provide continuity of membership. Terms of appointment are renewable at the discretion of the Dean.

Charge to Conflict of Interest in Research Committee:

To review all disclosure statements of Covered Persons, and to identify significant financial conflicts of interest of any Covered Persons engaged in the proposed research.
To review any rebuttal by a financially conflicted Covered Person of the presumption that he/she may not conduct the proposed research, and to recommend and/or review any proposed plan to manage the conflict. The Committee may require modifications of the proposed management and oversight plan.
To make decisions to permit or not to permit a financially conflicted individual to participate in conducting the research. These decisions will be documented and communicated to the principal investigator, the relevant Department Chair, the Institutional Review Board, the GCO, and the Dean.
To maintain records on financial conflict of interest decisions for a minimum of three years after completion of the research.

Committee on Special Awards and Grants

Composition and Charge
The Committee on Special Awards and Grants was formed with two purposes. First, to identify extramural opportunities available, and second, to match these award and grant opportunities with young ISMMS faculty. The Committee is composed of Chairs and senior faculty who will critically evaluate research applications, as well as identify and mentor young faculty. The Chair(s) of the Committee is/are appointed by the Dean.

Laboratory Safety Committee (LSC)

Laboratory Safety Committee Charter

“We find the way” defines the Mount Sinai Health System’s approach to providing excellence in clinical care, research, teaching, and community engagement. Central to this approach is the commitment of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for employees, students, patients, visitors, and the public community. To reflect this commitment, the Dean’s Office implemented the institutional Laboratory Safety Committee (LSC) in 2017 as one of its standing committees with a charge to mitigate the risks of biological, chemical, physical, and radiological hazards in the ISMMS biomedical and clinical research laboratories.

Mission of the LSC

The Laboratory Safety Committee (LSC) shall provide a forum where members discuss laboratory safety issues, challenges, and initiatives. This charter defines the oversight, responsibilities, and membership of the LSC. The mission of the LSC is to build upon and improvise a culture of safety by requiring all employees and students working in biomedical and clinical research laboratories to be appropriately trained and to comply with federal, state, and local regulations as well as with institutional health and safety standards and practices.

Responsibilities of the LSC

The LSC is responsible for the oversight of the health and safety of employees, students, and visitors in biomedical and clinical research laboratories. The LSC develops and implements health and safety policies and ensures compliance of employees, students, and visitors with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines and with institutional health and safety standards and practices. The LSC shall advise on laboratory safety and collaborate with other standing committees including, but not limited to, the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and the Radiation Safety Committee. The LSC shall oversee all matters regarding laboratory health and safety that are not under the purview of these other Standing Committees.

The responsibilities of the LSC include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

Membership of the LSC

The Dean for Research-Operations and Infrastructure shall appoint voting members that have the appropriate expertise and authority to review, develop, and implement institutional responses, policies, procedures, and programmatic activities that promote a culture of safety in biomedical and clinical research laboratories. All LSC members are appointed for three (3)-year terms, with reappointments determined by the Dean for Research-Operations and Infrastructure.

The LSC’s membership shall be comprised of institutional employees that have complementary knowledge, skills, and abilities for effective oversight of laboratory safety. The composition of the LSC shall be representative of the biomedical and clinical research laboratories within its scope of oversight and includes representatives from basic and clinical research, Employee Health Services, Environmental Health and Safety, Engineering, Fire Safety, and Emergency Management.

LSC Administration

The LSC shall be co-chaired by the Senior Director, Environmental Health and Safety, and the Director, Institutional Biological Safety Program.
The LSC shall meet monthly to address issues regarding biological, chemical, physical, and radiological hazards in the biomedical and clinical research laboratories.
The Co-Chairs shall distribute an agenda and minutes of the previous meeting to all committee members two (2) weeks prior to each full-committee meeting.
Administrative support for the LSC shall be provided by the Dean’s Office.
A quorum (greater than 50% of the members) is required to convene an LSC meeting.
All matters requiring a vote by the committee require a simple majority.

Agendas, Minutes and Reports of the LSC

The LSC Co-Chairs, with assistance from the Dean’s Office, shall be responsible for establishing the meeting agendas and minutes. The LSC Co-Chairs, with assistance from the Dean’s Office, shall send the agenda and relevant materials to the appointed members two (2) weeks in advance of the scheduled full committee meeting. The LSC Co-Chairs, with assistance from the Dean’s Office, shall draft and distribute meeting minutes for review by appointed committee members at the following convened meeting. The LSC shall provide periodic reports to the Dean for Research-Operations and Infrastructure as requested.

Meetings of the LSC

The LSC Co-Chairs shall lead and facilitate discussion at the LSC meetings and coordinate the assignment of activities discussed at a convened meeting or by appointed subcommittee.
The LSC shall convene meetings monthly but may convene special meetings at such times and with such frequency as the LSC Co-Chairs or Dean for Research-Operations and Infrastructure determines to be necessary or appropriate.
The LSC shall have the authority to establish subcommittees that shall be charged with addressing issues related to laboratory safety. The subcommittees shall meet as needed and report back to the LSC at regularly scheduled meetings regarding progress on their specific charge.
To convene an LSC meeting requires a quorum (fifty [50] percent plus one [1]) of appointed members. A majority vote of the appointed members attending a convened LSC meeting shall be required to approve a committee motion.
LSC meetings shall be convened in-person or virtually, as necessary.
Members are expected to review all information provided prior to the scheduled full committee meeting and attend all scheduled full committee meetings. An appointed member of the LSC that is unable to attend an LSC meeting may send a designee “proxy”, in his or her place, provided that the Co-Chairs approve the participation of the “proxy” at the scheduled full committee meeting. Each appointed member is expected to serve on at least one subcommittee or contribute on one subtopic relevant to his/her area of expertise. Appointed members should report laboratory safety issues within their departments to the LSC. Appointed members should also communicate LSC initiatives and activities to their departmental colleagues.
As part of committee review of matters of non-compliance or for additional subject matter expertise on laboratory safety, the LSC Co-Chairs shall have the authority to request attendance by faculty and/or staff at a scheduled full committee or subcommittee meeting.