Our philosophy begins with the clinical investigation into the myriad of miracles in the human body. Every single day physicians and scientists are striving to help Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and hospitals throughout the world find new ways to treat and prevent diseases. Our commitment to rigorous research that Methodist Healthcare has been crucial in providing exemplary care to the people of the Mid-South.

To ensure the best possible care of our patients throughout the research process, our Institutional Review Board governs all projects conducted at Methodist Healthcare. A multidisciplinary group, the Methodist Healthcare Institutional Review Board (MHIRB), meets twice a month to review research projects at Methodist that involve people. The MHIRB acts by the authority of the Board of Directors of Methodist Healthcare and adheres to the regulations and guidelines provided by the Food and Drug Administration and the Office for Human Research Protection.

After the MHIRB grants approval, a project may be subject to review by other appropriate institutional bodies that may approve, deny, suspend or terminate research projects. The following document contains the guidelines and procedures for research projects.

The MHIRB has the authority to:

• Approve a research project
• Deny a research project
• Approve pending changes to the project

After the MHIRB grants approval, a project may be subject to review by other appropriate institutional bodies who may approve, deny, suspend or terminate research projects. If the MHIRB denies, suspends or terminates any project, an institutional governing body cannot overrule the decision.

IRB Guidelines & Procedures (PDF) 

To help you determine your next step, please see the following pages in this section.

Submission Flow Charts

• IRB Jurisdiction Determination for Research at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center (PDF)
  Before submitting a research study to either the Methodist Healthcare IRB or UTHSC IRB, please review the attached flow chart to decide which IRB has jurisdiction. 
• Le Bonheur Research Study Submission Process (PDF)
  If a study involves Le Bonheur inpatients or children at the Methodist Germantown location, review this file.
• Path to Contracting (PDF)
  To determine whether Methodist Healthcare or the UT Research administration negotiates a contract, please review this flow chart. 

Contact Information:
Rexann G. Pickering, Ph.D., R.N.
Administrator, Human Protection
MHIRB Administration
1325 Eastmoreland Ave., Suite 574
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
Phone: 901.516.2323
Fax: 901.516-2456