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Morehouse School of Medicine - Tuskegee University - O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB Partnership

Administrative Core

Coordination and Communication Plans of the Partnership

Internal communications, governance oversight, and cross-institution coordination across MSM, TU, and UAB O’Neal CC.

Internal Partnership Communications

The Administrative Core oversees coordination and communication for the Partnership. Specifically, it:

  • Monitors progress on the research objectives and projects.
  • Facilitates communication among investigators at MSM, TU, and UAB O’CC.
  • Communicates progress amongst the partnering institutions, the NCI, the Internal Advisory Committee, and the Program Steering Committee.
  • Reviews and facilitates communications to the scientific community at large and to the public.
  • Coordinates and schedules meetings and conferences.
Oversight
Partnership Leadership Committee (PLC)
Administrative oversight of Partnership activities and alignment to Partnership-wide goals and objectives.
Advisory
Internal Advisory Committee (IAC)
Independent review to reduce conflicts of interest and strengthen evaluation integrity.
External Guidance
Program Steering Committee (PSC)
External oversight, approval of initiatives, and annual progress review with NCI Program Director as ex-officio.

Partnership Oversight Structure

Partnership Oversight: The Partnership Leadership Committee (PLC) and two advisory committees, the Internal Advisory Committee (IAC) and the Program Steering Committee (PSC), provide oversight for the Partnership.

  • Partnership Leadership Committee (PLC)
    • PIs, co-Leaders of the cores, and program managers from all three institutions.
    • Provides administrative oversight for Partnership activities.
    • Ensures Partnership-wide goals and objectives are being met.
  • Internal Advisory Committee (IAC)
    • Two senior investigators from each institution.
    • Members are not directly associated with the Partnership.
    • Provides independent review with complementary expertise.
    • Meets twice per year.
  • Program Steering Committee (PSC)
    • Five external experts aligned with the Partnership focus.
    • Receives written progress reports.
    • Meets face-to-face annually.
    • Approves new proposals and initiatives.

Program Communications Across Partner Institutions

Although not regularly scheduled, leaders of each program communicate frequently by phone and face-to-face to plan and conduct joint activities (e.g., workshops/strategic planning). They additionally meet at Partnership Retreats, at IAC and PSC meetings, and at the annual Cancer Research Symposium.

Meeting Cadence (Quick Reference)
PLC
Monthly
Conference call on the 2nd Thursday of each month.
In-person
3×/year: bi-annual IAC meetings (one combined with the Cancer Research Symposium) + the annual PSC.
As needed
Partnership Retreats: start of funding cycle, renewal preparation, and other Partnership events.
Purpose
Primary channel for core/program/shared-resource leadership to coordinate and ensure Partnership-wide goals are met.
IAC 2×/year
Role
Independent senior investigators (two per institution) provide conflict-of-interest–aware review and evaluation integrity.
Format
Face-to-face convenings with structured review of Partnership activities and outcomes.
PSC Annual
Role
External guidance and oversight; ex-officio participation by the NCI Program Director.
Inputs
Receives a written progress report; approves new proposals and initiatives aligned to Partnership focus.

Note: Cross-program coordination also occurs through workshops/strategic planning, retreats, IAC/PSC meetings, and the annual Cancer Research Symposium.