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IACUC Medical Clearance

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals requires that “an occupational health program must be part of the overall animal care and use program,” The goal of the occupational health and safety program is to prevent occupational injury and illness by avoiding, controlling or eliminating hazards in the workplace, as well as providing early diagnosis and treatment when necessary.  Note: Do not send Medical Clearance forms to IACUC.  They must be submitted to the physicians office who will evaluate the clearance.  Use current forms and instructions listed below by user type. 

  • All faculty, staff and students who work with or care for laboratory or wild animals in the course of their employment with Georgia Southern University.
  • All personnel who work in the animal care facilities are required to have pre-employment medical surveillance evaluation.
  • All individuals who are working on an IACUC approved protocol must acquire a medical clearance prior to beginning work with animals.

The extent and level of participation of personnel in the GS program is based on risk assessment provided by trained medical personnel.

Non-GS –  investigators and research personnel listed on a current protocol may use the GS Medical Clearance Form and have it completed by their personal physician at their own cost or may provide proof of participation in their home institution Medical Clearance program.

Non-GS short term research investigators and assistants listed on a current protocol who will work on GS research efforts for less than 90 days may opt out of the Occupational Medical Clearance program via waiver. (Researchers who will be in a GS Animal Research facility for more than 15 days will be required to provide documentation of participation in their home institution equivalent program).  Find the waiver form here.

Faculty or staff on all campuses – working in direct contact with animals:

  • Complete IACUC training through CITI.
  • Read the Occupational Health Risk Brochure
  • Complete the Medical Clearance Form and return to the physician.
    • MUST complete entire form and sign both signature lines (medical questionnaire and clearance form).
    • MUST have Eagle ID number
    • MUST identify yourself on the clearance page (This page is the only piece transmitted to the IACUC for your project clearance.)
    • Print, sign and fax or scan the medical clearance form.  Save the scan as a PDF (Signatures are required to allow the physician to review)
  • Fax the completed form to Dr. Angela Gerguis at 912-478-1893 (most secure) or if you choose, email the completed form to agerguis@georgiasouthern.edu (not a secure transfer). (Review fee will be charged to the Office of Research Integrity)
    • *if unable to fax the completed form to the Statesboro Health Services facility, Attention Dr. Gerguis by any of the following methods.  Campus mail PO Box 8043; Fax 912-478-1893; mail or hand deliver to 984 Plant Drive, Statesboro GA 30460 in an envelop marked confidential.  (Note: pictures or images of the form will not be accepted.)
    • Or you may take the form to your personal physician (you are responsible for any associated costs)
  • The medical facility will contact you if appointment is required.
  • Return only the last page of the form once completed by the physician (the clearance recommendation page) to the IACUC administration office at Campus Box 8005 or Suite 3000, Veazey Hall, Statesboro, GA, 30458.
  • Maintain a copy of the clearance recommendation page for your records as you will be required to resubmit this determination with future IACUC applications.

Student from all GS campuses working on IACUC protocol or in animal care:

  • Complete IACUC training on CITI.
  • Read the Occupational Health Risk Brochure.
  • Complete Georgia Southern University Researcher Participation Standard Release  and return it to your research advisor.
  • Complete the Medical Clearance Form and return to the physician.
    • MUST complete entire form and sign both signature lines (medical questionnaire and clearance form).
    • MUST have Eagle ID number
    • MUST enter your name and identify your faculty adviser on the clearance page (This page is the only piece transmitted to the IACUC for your project clearance.)
    • Print, sign and fax or scan the medical clearance form.  Save the scan as a PDF (Signatures are required to allow the physician to review)
  • Fax the completed form to Dr. Angela Gerguis at 912-478-1893 (most secure) or if you choose, email the completed form to agerguis@georgiasouthern.edu.(not a secure transfer) (Review fee will be charged to the Office of Research Integrity)
    • *if unable to scan students from all GS campuses may send the completed form to the Statesboro Health Services facility, Attention Dr. Gerguis by any of the following methods.  Campus mail PO Box 8043; Fax 912-478-1893; mail or hand deliver to 984 Plant Drive, Statesboro GA 30460 in an envelop marked confidential.  (Note: pictures or images of the form will not be accepted.)
    • Or you may take the form to your personal physician (you are responsible for any associated costs)
    • DO NOT submit the form to health services on the Armstrong campus.
  • The medical facility will contact you if appointment is required.
  • Return only the last page of the medical clearance form once completed by the physician (the clearance recommendation page) to the IACUC administration office at Campus Box 8005 or Suite 3000, Veazey Hall, Statesboro, GA, 30458.
  • Maintain a copy of the clearance recommendation page for your records as you will be required to resubmit this determination with future IACUC applications.

Student (Demonstration class contact only)-

If you have questions about the Occupational Health Plan and how to access service that are not answered here, or you would just like to speak to someone, contact the Office of Research Integrity at irb@georgiasouthern.edu or 912-478-5465.

Service workers (physical plant, contract), visitors to the facility, administrative staff-

  • Read the Occupational Health Risk Brochure.
  • If you have questions or concerns, contact your instructor, supervisor or the Office of Research Integrity.
  • If you have questions about the Occupational Health Plan and how to access service that are not answered here, or you would just like to speak to someone, contact the Office of Research Integrity at irb@georgiasouthern.edu or 912-478-5465.

Non-GS –  investigators and research personnel listed on a current protocol may use the GS Medical Clearance Form and have it completed by their personal physician at their own cost or may provide proof of participation in their home institution Medical Clearance program.

Non-GS short term research investigators and assistants listed on a current protocol who will work on GS research efforts for less than 90 days may opt out of the Occupational Medical Clearance program via waiver. (Researchers who will be in a GS Animal Research facility for more than 5 days will be required to provide documentation of participation in their home institution equivalent program).  Find the waiver form here.

  • If you have questions about the Occupational Health Plan and how to access service that are not answered here, or you would just like to speak to someone, contact the Research Integrity office at irb@georgiasouthern.edu or 912-478-5465.

Last updated: 8/23/2023