About Us

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an administrative body established to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects recruited to participate in research activities. The IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in, or disapprove all research activities that fall within its jurisdiction as specified by both the federal regulations and local institutional policy.

The IRB makes its independent determination whether to approve or disapprove the protocol based upon whether or not human subjects are adequately protected, which includes determination of a favorable benefit/risk analysis of the research.

Research that has been reviewed and approved by an IRB may be subject to further review and disapproval by officials of the institution. Those officials may not, however, approve research if it has been disapproved by the IRB. Furthermore, approved research is subject to continuing IRB review and must be reevaluated at least annually (and more frequently, as specified by the IRB).

WFH IRBs have appropriate expertise to review the type of biomedical and social behavioral research conducted at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare facilities. The WFH IRBs have members from scientific backgrounds, as well as non-scientific members and members who are not affiliated with Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.

The IRBs are supported administratively by the Human Research Protection Program Staff. If you have any questions about human subjects protections or need assistance with your IRB application, please call 414-465-3134 or email julia.kennedy@wfhc.org.