Jewish Home Lifecare :: Caring as individual as you

IRB Members and Administration

For questions, clarification, or forms you may contact, Jessica Yoos, the IRB Secretary, at 212-870-4849 or email irb@jewishhome.org

IRB Members and Administration

Our 18 regular committee members and our 8 alternates are staff from the various departments, and JHL campuses, as well as community representatives.

IRB Administration:

Chair:  Simon Kassabian, M.D. – Associate Medical Director/Director of Palliative Care

Dr. Kassabian presides over all IRB meetings and serves as a principal spokesperson in matters of policy or official concern to the IRB. He also consults with the Authorized Institutional Official in regards to appointing IRB members.

Vice-Chair: Christine Schultz – Director of Clinical Resources/JHL Privacy Officer

Ms. Schultz performs the duties of the Chair whenever the Chair is absent or unable to act.

Secretary: Jessica Yoos, M.A. – Administrative Research Assistant

Ms. Yoos facilitates the IRB process by interacting with researchers to offer guidance and pre-review of IRB protocols.  She also prepares and ensures delivery of IRB meeting materials to members, arranges setup for the IRB meetings, and coordinates IRB approval materials. In addition, she attends the monthly IRB meetings as a non-voting member and prepares meeting minutes.

IRB Officers:

Authorized Institutional Official (AIO): Audrey Weiner, DSW/MPH – President & CEO

Dr. Weiner has the legal authority to act and speak for the institution, and can ensure that JHL will effectively fulfill its’ oversight of research. She works with the Chair of the IRB to appoint members of the IRB. Hence, the AIO is not a member of the IRB.

Human Subjects Protections Officer (HSPO): Verena Cimarolli, Ph.D. – Senior Research Scientist

Dr. Cimarolli is the contact person for OHRP regarding questions related to the institution’s Assurance or other matters that may arise. She is also responsible for promoting communication and education among the research community and IRB, as well as working with the IRB Secretary to ensure that records are being maintained per HHS regulations. Lastly, she is also in charge of monitoring compliance as well as reporting problems, noncompliance, and adverse events.

Research Misconduct Officers:

Research Integrity Officer (RIO): Dana Penny, Chief Compliance Officer

The RIO is responsible for ensuring compliance with NIH/OHRP regulations regarding research misconduct and reporting any such instances to the Office of Research Integrity (ORI). The RIO is also responsible for performing inquiries and investigations (in consultation with a committee) on all reports of research misconduct.

Deciding Official (DO): Audrey Weiner, DSW/MPH – President & CEO

After reviewing final research misconduct investigation reports, appeals, and recommended agency responses, Dr. Weiner is responsible for making the final determination on reports of scientific misconduct and any responsive institutional actions.

Pre-IRB Review Committee

A pre-IRB review is required for all research projects proposed by an investigator who is not affiliated with the Jewish Home OR by non-research JHL staff. After this review, the project can then be reviewed by the IRB if it seems appropriate for the institution.