Pediatric Research Office

Mission Statement
The Pediatric Research Office (PRO) provides infrastructure support to research activities of Pediatric faculty at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Children's Hospital & Medical Center (Children’s),  giving pediatric patients the opportunity to participate and receive the latest in treatment options while adhering to the highest ethical standards in research.

Our Vision

UNMC and Children’s will provide an infrastructure, culture and climate through which the children of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, and the region can have access to cutting edge advances for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric medical conditions. Ultimately, UNMC and Children’s will be a regionally and nationally-recognized site for the conduct of scientifically and ethically grounded clinical and translational pediatric research. Eventually, a source of funds for investigator-initiated clinical and translational research should be available, moving the enterprise from participation in clinical research to performance of clinical research.  The PRO is only a portion of the total research activity within the Department of Pediatrics.

About Us

In 2009, an affiliation was established between the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center.  Pediatric  physicians  of all specialties can now engage in research at both sites.  UNMC and Children’s provide designated research staff in pharmacy and lab areas who work directly with research study staff.  Simultaneously, the UNMC Department of Pediatrics provides support for the Pediatric Research Office initiating the development of research trained Nurse Coordinators and research focused Administrative staff who support research at both sites specific to Pediatrics. 

Joint Pediatric IRB (Peds IRB)
A separate Institutional Review Board reviews and approves all human subject research involving children conducted by the faculty, students, staff, or other representatives of UNMC, Children’s or UNO.  The Peds IRB also reviews and approves any research involving children conducted by non-affiliated investigators, when the research is conducted on the premises of UNMC, Children's, clinics owned or operated by UNMC or Children's and UNO.   The Peds IRB is administratively located in the Office of Regulatory Affairs at UNMC.

Current Studies

• 22 Pharmaceutical sponsored
• 21 National Institutes of Health/Centers for Disease Control
• 20+ Investigator-initiated studies
• 20+ Children's Oncology Group studies

Subcontract Site to:

• Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Penn State University
• University of Wisconsin
• University of Utah
• University of Alabama (Collaborative Antiviral Study Group)
• Oregon Health Sciences University

Our divisions of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (UNMC and Children’s) are designated as a Children’s Oncology Group location.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation provides funding for and accredits more than 110 cystic fibrosis care centers and 55 affiliate programs nationwide, including 96 programs for treating adults with CF.  Our division of Pediatric Pulmonology participates as a site and has an adult program as well.  The high quality of specialized care available throughout the care center network has led to the improved length and quality of life for people with CF. Located at teaching and community hospitals across the country, these care centers offer the best care, treatments, and support for those with CF. Each center undergoes thorough review by the CF Foundation’s Center Committee before it receives accreditation and funding. This review for accreditation occurs every year.