CHCB’s OHRP‑Accepted IRB: Why It Matters for Community Health

The Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. (CHCB) has achieved a significant milestone in the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) landscape: the U.S. Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) has accepted CHCB’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) registration.

In practical terms, CHCB now holds the authority and infrastructure to govern human-subjects research inside the community it serves. That’s a big deal—for Buffalo, for Western New York, and for the national FQHC movement. Internal IRBs at FQHCs are rare—our review suggests well under 1% of health center organizations operate their own board.

“Research belongs where people live. With our IRB, CHCB can protect participants while accelerating the evidence that improves their care.”

-Dr. LaVonne Ansari, CEO & Executive Director , CHCB, Inc.

WHY FQHCS MATTER — CONTEXT IN NUMBERS

• Nationwide footprint: ~1,400 HRSA-funded health centers operating 16,200+ service sites across all states and territories.

• People served (2024): 32.4 million patients; ~ 90% live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; care includes 1 in 8 children, 1 in 5 rural residents, and 408,000 veterans. Payer mix (2023 UDS): roughly 50% Medicaid, ~21% private, ~11% Medicare , and ~18% uninsured —a safety-net profile unlike most private health systems.

• Impact: Health center patients have better outcomes at lower cost and use fewer emergency and inpatient services compared with peers cared for elsewhere.

WHAT AN OHRP‑ACCEPTED IRB MEANS FOR AN FQHC

• Local authority with federal standards. CHCB can review and oversee research under the Common Rule (45 CFR 46) while tailoring protections to real-world clinic settings.

• Faster translation to care. Studies can be designed, approved, and executed where patients already receive services— reducing the distance between discovery and delivery.

• Community voice and trust. Consent language, risk-benefit analysis, and follow-up are shaped by people who know the culture, barriers, and needs of Buffalo’s neighborhoods.

• Grant-readiness and partnerships. An operational IRB positions CHCB to attract funding, co-author publications, and lead multi-site collaborations that center health equity.

Why this matters in Western New York —right now.

• Care meets research. Ethical oversight is embedded where medical, dental, and behavioral health services happen.

• Equity by design. Diverse participation, culturally literate consent, and fewer logistical hurdles improve enrollment and retention.

• Better data, better decisions. Real-world evidence from FQHC settings sharpens clinical pathways and payer alignment.

Near-term research priorities (including the Cerebro RiSUS Model)

As CHCB’s inaugural effort under its IRB, RiSUS AI—Cerebro’s software as a medical device (SaMD) —will be evaluated at a high level to understand whether routine oral images (gums and tongue) can help flag biomarkers related to periodontal inflammation and potential indicators associated with Type II diabetes risk. The goals are simple: earlier identification, faster referrals, and fewer patients lost to follow‑up. Clinicians remain the final decision‑makers; the AI is version‑locked during the study; and patient privacy is safeguarded throughout.

Leadership that made this possible

This milestone reflects the vision and discipline of CHCB’s leadership: Dr. LaVonne Ansari ( CEO & Executive Director), Al Hammonds (COO), Dr. Kenyani Davis, MD, MPH (Chief Medical Officer), Dr. Shilpa Kapoor, DDS (Chief Dental Officer) and Dr. Michael Ayanbadejo (Director of Clinical Services). Their north star has been constant—protect patients, improve outcomes, and expand access—without compromise.

A national model for FQHCs

Earning OHRP acceptance for an internal IRB—and activating it for practical, patient‑centered studies—signals that community care can lead in research: ethically, rigorously, and at speed. On behalf of Cerebro NeuroTech, I applaud CHCB for setting a standard the country can follow. Western New York is showing how to close the gap between discovery and care —and how to do it with equity at the center.

— Paolo Alejandro Catilo, CEO & Chief Engineer, Cerebro NeuroTech, Inc.