IACUC
The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) reviews all animal studies taking place at the facility. The Animal Research Facility has received Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) assurance, and follows all Public Health Service policies and Animal Welfare Act regulations. The program also receives guidance from the VA Veterinary Medical Unit.
AS with all research activities at the AAVAHCS, animal care and use is the responsibility of William Weitzel, M.D., Associate Chief of Staff for Research. The day-to-day management of the facility is performed by Sherry Wagar, Supervisor Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU). To assure maintenance of this high quality research program, this Medical Center contracts with the University of Michigan Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) to provide guidance in running the program and veterinary care as needed.
Any Animal Research study that uses VA funding, VA time, VA materials or is conducted on VA premises, requires a Animal Component of Research Protocol (ACORP) be completed and approved. For a new project, please submit your ACORP application along with your R&D application, generally due 12 business days prior to the R&D meeting. Any ACORP also requires a VA Hazard Safety Assessment also be filled out. The UCUCA form is currently NOT accepted by the VA in place of the ACORP.
Additionally, a non-optional pre-review by the veterinarian before submission to the IACUC is required. Email application to psallen@med.umich.edu prior to submission. Veterinary reviews can take up to 2 weeks so please leave ample time for review prior to planned IACUC submission.
IACUC meets on a monthly basis, generally on the 2nd Friday of the month. Its membership includes a veterinarian, the supervisor of the VMU, scientists and a community representative. For more information, refer to Guidance Documents & Resources and Policies or contact the IACUC coordinator for further guidance.
This sweet puppy belonging to our IACUC & Safety
Coordinator, Carolyn Slusher, wants to say hello.
