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The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) will head a presentation about the AAALAC accreditation process – including definitions, standards and the associated benefits - at the 2008 TurnKey Conference in Baltimore.
The group’s accreditation program evaluates organizations that use animals in research, teaching or testing. Those that meet or exceed AAALAC standards are awarded accreditation.
During the half-day seminar, AAALAC Senior Director Dr. James Swearengen and Dr. Ron Banks will cover, among other topics:
- Common facility deficiencies found during AAALAC site visits and ways to prevent these deficiencies through proper facility design and management techniques.
- A review of what AAALAC site visitors expect when conducting a site visit at a biocontainment facility. Expectations for both facilities and programs will be discussed for institutions operating Animal Biosafety Level 3/4 facilities.
According to the organization, the AAALAC International Council on Accreditation promotes quality and continuing improvement of the well-being of animals used in research, testing, and teaching, the health and safety of personnel, and the animal-based research itself. These are accomplished through the conduct of peer reviews of animal care and use programs, conferring an accreditation status, educational efforts, and on-going communications with stakeholders. The Council’s activities are principled in the application of performance-based standards and professional judgment within the framework of the Guide, applicable reference resources, and relevant governmental regulations.
The AAALAC says accreditation:
- Symbolizes quality
- Promotes scientific validity
- Is a recruiting tool
- Demonstrates accountability
- Provides a confidential peer-review
- Impresses funding sources
- Shows a real commitment to humane animal care
AAALAC staff will be available for private one-on-one consultation sessions throughout the afternoon of the second day of the conference. Attendees are invited to sign-up for a 15-20 minute individual consultation to discuss accreditation issues. These consultations are offered at no charge.
The 2008 TurnKey Conference will be held April 17-18 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information, visit TurnKeyconference.com.
More on: The AAALAC speakers
Jim Swearengen, DVM, DACLAM, DACVPM, Senior Director, AAALAC International
Dr. Swearengen obtained his D.V.M. from the University Missouri-Columbia in 1982 and entered into farm animal practice in Missouri and Wisconsin until he entered the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps in 1984. Dr. Swearengen completed a four year residency in laboratory animal medicine at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and became a board certified in the fields of laboratory animal medicine and veterinary preventive medicine. He spent 8 years at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) serving as the Chief of the Veterinary Medicine Division and finally as the Deputy Commander of the institute. Dr. Swearengen has extensive experience in providing veterinary and husbandry support to infectious disease animal research at all levels of biocontainment and in directing large biocontainment research programs. He obtained international experience with the United Nations Special Commission (Biological Group) and with evaluating and establishing animal care and use programs and facilities in research institutes in the Former Soviet Union. Dr. Swearengen also served as the Laboratory Animal Medicine Consultant to the U.S. Army Surgeon General. He retired from the U.S. Army in 2005 as a Colonel after 21 years of active duty service and is currently a Senior Director for AAALAC International. Dr. Swearengen also is the President-elect of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).
Ron E. Banks, DVM, DACLAM, DACVPM, Office of Animal Welfare Assurance, Duke University
A 1982 graduate of Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Ron Banks has over 20 years of biomedical program experience. He is Board Certified by the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and also Board Certified by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. He has also served on numerous facility design teams and peer review committees.
A past president of the Academy of Surgical Research, and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, he presently serves as a member of the Council on Accreditation, for AAALAC, International.
Doctor Ron Banks is currently employed as the Director, Office of Animal Welfare Assurance, Duke University and Duke University Medical Center. The direct responsibility of Dr. Banks’ Office, includes development of program processes and guiding strategic direction, IACUC support, post-approval monitoring and compliance auditing, investigator training, protocol development assistance, veterinary review of the institution’s care and use operations.
With over 30 publications and many more scientific and professional seminars and presentations, Dr. Banks brings a wealth of experience to program development, facility design and construction, progressive animal use, and appropriate animal welfare.
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