The Clinical Center's unique and valuable contribution to the healthcare sector rests in its ability to respond quickly and creatively to ever-changing and growing clinical research needs. Strides in medical technologies, imaging sciences and molecular research require an adaptable, flexible facility and organization for scientific investigation and exploration. The responsive, articulate cooperative interactions of its governing and advisory bodies enable the Clinical Center to better meet and respond to the demands and challenges of the clinical research world.
Clinical Center Research Hospital Board
The Clinical Center Research Hospital Board (CCRHB) was established in 2016 to oversee operations at the NIH Clinical Center focused on fortifying a culture and practice of safety and quality and strengthening leadership for clinical care quality, oversight and compliance. A new Chief Executive Officer position was established, and under this leadership, the 2019 CC Strategic Plan titled, People, Places, Capabilities: The NIH Clinical Center at 65 Strategic Plan, introduced new priorities to transition the Clinical Center (CC) to a high reliability clinical research organization ensuring the best achievable patient outcomes. The CCRHB actively engages with CC and NIH leaders to consider a host of new or updated capabilities, improved facilities and infrastructure, while fully supporting existing CC staff and preparing the next generation to tackle tough biomedical research issues within a vibrant culture of patient safety and regulatory compliance.
Board of Scientific Counselors
The purpose of the Boards of Scientific Counselors is to secure unbiased and objective evaluations of the intramural research programs and work of individual scientists. Expert scientists from outside NIH participate as members of this review group. The Board of Scientific Counselors of the Clinical Center was established in October 1990. The Board advises the NIH director, NIH deputy director for intramural research and the Clinical Center CEO regarding the organization's intramural clinical research programs though periodic visits to the laboratories to assess the research, progress, evaluation, productivity, and performance of staff scientists.
Medical Executive Committee
This committee serves to advise the Clinical Center CEO on the clinical aspects of operations and develops policies governing medical care standards in the Clinical Center. The Medical Executive Committee is made up of clinical directors of the NIH intramural clinical research programs. The group meets twice a month.
Patient Advisory Group
A major source of patient feedback is the Patient Advisory Group (PAG), a forum established in 1998 and open to all patients and their families. The PAG meets semiannually, and as needed, with the CEO of the Clinical Center and senior staff to discuss issues of concern and make recommendations to improve efforts for providing the highest quality research and patient care services.