The Health Commissioner's Office (HCO) Review Committee serves to:

• Ensure that all research involving PDPH data, staff, or clients supports the mission of the Department.
• Ensure that PDPH staff are active collaborators on all proposals initiated by external researchers, where appropriate.
• Ensure that the Health Commissioner is aware of the findings from these endeavors and their public health implications.

The HCO Review Committee does not take the place of the Department’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). Research involving human subjects still requires the review of the IRB.

Giridhar Mallya, MD, MSHP – Director of Policy and Planning

Sam Gulino, MD – Chief Medical Examiner
Claire Newbern, PhD – Division of Disease Control
Susan Robbins, MD – Ambulatory Health Service

The HCO Review Committee protocol applies to both internal PDPH proposals and proposals led by external researchers. The protocol applies to the following types of scientific endeavors:

• Proposals for research or public health analysis that will result in publication and/or conference presentation
• Manuscripts submitted for publication
• Conference abstract submissions
• Conference presentations

Generally, submissions to the Review Committee must be made two weeks prior to initiation of research or two weeks prior to submission of research product to a journal or conference. Electronic submissions to the Director of Policy and Planning (Giridhar.Mallya@phila.gov) are preferred.

Submissions should include:

• Final proposal, manuscript, abstract, or presentation
• Completed HCO Review Committee submission form
• Written approval from Division Director (email approval is sufficient)

• HCO Review Committee Submission Form
• Protocol – proposals for research or public health analysis
• Protocol – manuscripts for publication and conference presentations
• Protocol – conference abstract submissions
• Full protocol – HCO Review Committee