Mission
Our mission is to conduct interdisciplinary research and to publish analytic studies that relate human values to the development of health policy, legislation, and systems of delivery of patient care, and that advance knowledge and understanding of the ethical conduct of research. The Institute serves as a resource for educational institutions, for health care organizations, and for local, state and federal government, as well as for clinical and translational research programs throughout South Carolina.
Classification
The Institute is a university-level entity. The Charter is reviewed annually by the Institute for determination of any necessary updates to the Charter.
Formal Charges
The Institute of Human Values in Health Care is charged with conducting research and publishing studies exploring research ethics, health care ethics, and the relation of human values to the development of health policy, legislation, and systems of delivery of patient care. Specific duties include:
- Conducting research and publishing studies that relate human values to research ethics, health policy and systems of delivery of patient care, and that advance knowledge and understanding of the ethical conduct of research.
- Providing leadership and administrative support for the Clinical Research Ethics component of SCTR;
- Developing and managing conferences and workshops focusing on clinical and translational research;
- Planning and executing annually the Thomas A. Pitts Lectureship in Medical Ethics;
- Maintaining the Research Ethics Scholars Program, an educational program that leads to a Certificate of Competency in Research Ethics; and
- Providing support for the Research Ethics Consultation Service of the MUHA Ethics Committee.
Membership/Terms of Appointments
Members broadly represent the health care professions, the humanities, and the social sciences. They are drawn from the faculties of institutions of higher education in South Carolina. Members are appointed for terms of five years, without limit on reappointment, renewable at the discretion of the Director of the Institute.
Subcommittees
Ad hoc, task-oriented subcommittees are appointed by the Director as needed. In addition, the Institute has three standing committees:
- The Thomas Pitts Lectureship Planning Committee determines appropriate topics for each annual lectureship and assists in the recruitment of faculty for the event;
- The Committee on Conferences and Workshops is responsible for developing one or more meetings each year that address topics in research ethics; and
- The Committee on the Research Ethics Scholars Program develops and maintains the program that leads to a Certificate of Competency in Research Ethics.
Frequency of Meetings
The Institute membership meets every 2-3 months. Written notice is provided each Institute member in advance of each formally scheduled meeting. A formal meeting agenda and appropriate supportive materials are attached to the written notice of each meeting.
Minutes
Summary minutes of each meeting are prepared by the Director of the Institute or designate and submitted to all members prior to each membership meeting. Copies are also distributed to the University Provost.
Institute Reports
Each year the Institute files a written report, summarizing major activities for the prior period, with the Provost.
Quorum
A simple majority will constitute a necessary quorum to conduct business at any meeting of the membership.
Amendment to this Charter
Should any amendment to this Charter be required between scheduled annual reviews, the Director shall work with the Provost in developing amendments suitable to all parties.
University Institute Charter
This University Institute Charter is effective as of July 1, 2011.
