MOU 225-14-0006
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN U.S. FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION AND WASHINGTON ADVENTIST HOSPITAL
"Advancing Collaboration Opportunities"
Purpose:
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Adventist HealthCare, Inc., d/b/a Washington Adventist Hospital (WAH) have a shared interest in scientific and medical progress in the diverse disciplines that directly and indirectly affect human health and medicine. The Parties also endorse scientific training for employees to foster a well-grounded foundation in interdisciplinary fields in which the medical system and government share mutual interest.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes terms of collaboration between FDA and WAH to support these shared interests that can be pursued through a variety of programs including collaborative research, public outreach, extension activities, training, and exchange of medical professionals and staff by the two organizations.
By sharing resources and talents, the two organizations can open up new areas of discovery, funding, and cooperation that are critically important for keeping both organizations on the leading edge and for protecting and promoting our nation's public health. Under the terms of this agreement, the FDA and WAH will identify priorities and topics of mutual interest that will be enhanced by collaboration.
This MOU forms the basis for the initial relations between FDA and WAH for research and scientific education. However, as this collaborative effort progresses, it is anticipated that additional areas of mutual interest may be included in expansion of this document.
Background:
The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health. To accomplish its mission, FDA must continually strive to keep its scientists abreast of the latest developments in scientific research.
FDA Headquarters is being consolidated at the government owned White Oak Federal Research Center in Montgomery County, Maryland. The development consists of new laboratories, office buildings, and support facilities.
WAH strives to ensure that patients in the communities it serves have access to the best possible health-care services by leading in the areas of care and clinical service delivery, achieving innovation in health and medical management and developing and/or partnering on educational programs and research.
FDA and WAH agree that since the WAH recently announced plans to relocate its campus next to the FDA campus, there is a tremendous synergistic opportunity to improve access to health care, advance medical research and enhance economic development opportunities for the entire region.
Scope: FDA and WAH.
WAH and FDA agree to:
· Exchange information between hospital faculty and staff and FDA scientists and staff;
· Create educational opportunities for hospital faculty and staff and FDA scientists and staff;
· Conduct joint meetings for education and research;
· Collaborate on research activities;
· Cooperate on outreach activities and outreach.
· Share facilities and equipment for increased cost efficiencies for scientific
endeavors.
Specifically, FDA and WAH agree to:
(1) Create opportunities for clinical professionals to practice within their scope of licensure
including clinical, emergency room and other related direct patient services, as resources permit;
(2) Proactively pursue development of programs to establish collaborative clinical research projects;
(3) Welcome faculty, staff, and residents wishing to visit one another's facilities, programs and laboratories;
(4) Share opportunities to participate in training and seminars, as resources permit;
(5) Engage in frequent communication among faculty, staff, and residents via
face-to-face meetings, conference calls, or teleconferences;
(6) Explore joint opportunities to identify, address and eliminate health disparities;
(7) Create an agreement where FDA may use the helipad on the new WAH campus in case of emergency;
(8) Coordinate cell tower and radio frequency issues;
(9) Develop an agreement for FDA to have access (by appointment) to Adventist PET Scanner and
other specialized imaging equipment;
(10) Share clinical, practical and applied experiences among medical &allied health professionals, scientists, and engineers;
(11) Include/Notify one another of educational opportunities being made available to personnel on White Oak and Adventist campuses;
(12) Define additional cooperative and collaborative activities by agreement;
(13) Communicate this collaborative effort through web pages, press releases, teleconferences, informal conversations
with colleagues, faculty and students, joint conferences and symposia.
Proprietary/Confidential Information
Each party agrees to protect non-public Proprietary/Confidential Information. Proprietary/Confidential Information shall not be disclosed, copied, reproduced or otherwise made
available to any person or entity without the consent of the owning Party except as required under court order or the Freedom of InformationAct (5 U.S.C. 552).
Finances and Resources
Each party agrees that this MOU does not commit either party to make specific levels of financial or personnel support or to provide specific office or laboratory space
for the programs and that the provision of such support will be based on available resources and provided in accordance with the rules, regulations and laws under
which FDA operates and the policies of WAH.
Points of Contact:
A. FOR WASHINGTON ADVENTIST HOSPITAL
Jere Stocks, President, (301) 891-5651.
B. FOR U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
Eileen Parish, M.D., Office of the Chief Scientist,
(301) 796-8522
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates indicated below.
ATTEST:
WASHINGTON ADVENTIST HOSPITAL
Jere Stocks
President
December 16, 2008
U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
John Dyer
Deputy Commissioner for Operations
Chief Operating Officer
December 16, 2008