Virtua Health

Virtua Health

Virtua Health

Established in 2021, the Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University is an historic new academic health partnership between Rowan University, a top 100 public research institution, and Virtua Health, South Jersey’s largest health system. Dedicated to improving health for all college is transforming the practice of medicine using an approach that treats the whole person, not a disease. Driven by world-class physicians and researchers on the leading edge of science, the college aspires to become a national leader in health care education, discovery and innovation. 

 

IRB Submission Guidelines for Projects Involving Virtua Health

If your project involves Virtua patients, data, employees/staff, or is being conducted at a Virtua Health locations, including Rowan-affiliated practices, you must submit your project to the Virtua IRB.

For any Rowan faculty, staff, or students where Virtua IRB will be the primary IRB/IRB of Record, click on the following link to determine if you need to submit your human subjects research project to the Rowan IRB: Rowan IRB Submission When Virtua IRB is the Primary IRB/IRB of Record Decision Tree

Important: Submissions that do not follow these guidelines may be returned with instructions to submit to the appropriate IRB.

  

For assistance with Rowan-Virtua engagement, contact Katelynn Huff. 

FAQ: Virtua as the IRB of Record

When is Virtua the only IRB that must review a study?

Virtua serves as the sole IRB of record when any of the following conditions are met:

  • The study involves a Virtua site or Virtua‑controlled location. 
  • The research uses Virtua patient data. 
  • The research includes a patient intervention conducted within Virtua. 
  • A Virtua employee is involved in the research.
  • The project is a multisite study where Rowan is not an actual study site.
What does this mean for Rowan researchers?
If any of the above apply to your project, the Rowan IRB will cede review to Virtua IRB, and all human subjects review will be conducted solely by Virtua.
Who can I contact if I am unsure whether Virtua should be the reviewing IRB?
Researchers may contact Katelynn Huff for guidance on IRB reliance, site engagement, and determining the appropriate reviewing IRB.

Additional Requirements for Projects Involving Virtua PHI or Limited Data Sets

  • HIPAA/PHI Access: Virtua Health may require additional training before granting access to PHI for research. A Data Use Agreement (DUA) is required for studies involving PHI identifiers.

  • Limited Data Sets: Rowan researchers using limited data sets from Virtua must:

    • Describe the method for obtaining the data in their Rowan IRB Cayuse protocol.
    • Contact Virtua Health Research Administration and/or IRB before accessing or storing the data.
    • Coordinate with Virtua to use a secure terminal or work location for handling PHI.