Research at Mile Square Health Center
UI Health Mile Square Health Center takes great pride in fostering an inclusive research environment, welcoming research/quality improvement (QI) teams to conduct projects within our facility.
Our streamlined application process, distinct from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) procedures, ensures that external researchers can seamlessly integrate their projects within our diverse healthcare landscape. We are committed to cultivating collaborative research partnerships that drive innovation and contribute to the advancement of healthcare solutions for our community and beyond.
Mile Square is dedicated to cultivating impactful research/QI initiatives that directly target our community's critical health needs. Priority areas include:
- Comprehensive Oral Health
- Community Nutrition & Food as Medicine
- Holistic Primary Care
- Integrated Behavioral Health and Addiction Medicine
- Medical Workforce Development
- Men's Health across the Life Course
- Specialized Populations
- Women's Health across the Life Course
Our research/QI approval process serves as a fundamental mechanism for guaranteeing the alignment of research/QI undertakings with our healthcare objectives. Central to this process are our Research Council and Board of Directors, both playing pivotal roles in shaping the direction and impact of our research/QI efforts.
Application Process
The Mile Square Health Center Research Council is composed of volunteer members, including community members, members of the scientific community, Mile Square clinicians, and leadership. It was established to support and enhance MSHC’s commitment to community-engaged research, health equity, and social justice while maintaining scientific rigor. Together, the diverse members of the Research Council inform and guide the research/QI projects that are presented to them at monthly meetings.
After a project that is recommended for full review is reviewed and approved by our Research Council, it is sent to the Board of Directors with a recommendation to consider approval. The Board of Directors further vets the project for its capacity to fit within the Mile Square landscape while being of potential benefit to our patients and community members.
Once a project is approved by the Board of Directors, the MSHC research staff works with the PI and project team to design project-specific workflows and coordinate resource allocation. The MSHC research staff remains in close contact with project teams during the full project life cycle, and will request project updates every 6 months to stay up-to-date project impact and determine if any implementation adjustments are needed.
Some project teams may find it valuable to schedule a consultation with the MSHC research staff prior to completing the application process if there are any questions regarding feasibility. If you intend to conduct a project at Mile Square Health Centers, it is important for the Principal Investigator (PI) to incorporate appropriate compensation in their budget for space, patient incentives, staff time, and appropriate percentage of indirects. Please contact our Senior Research Coordinator, Samantha Madrid at smadri4@uic.edu or Director Clinical Innovations and Research, Judes Fleurimont at jf24@uic.edu if you have any questions.
Application Checklist
Applications should be submitted online and are required to include:
- Completed Mile Square Health Center Research Collaboration Request Form
It is recommended that research/QI teams have the following information ready and available:
- Protocol or protocol draft
- Budget or budget proposal
- Project work plan (timeline)
- IRB application and approval letter or exemption/waiver
- Patient-facing informed consent documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a UIC IRB approval letter to apply?
An IRB approval letter or exemption is not required to apply, but regulatory approval (IRB and/or PRC) is required prior to starting any study/project activities at Mile Square.
When are applications due?
All research/QI applications are available on a rolling basis. The accompanying documents are due one week prior to the assigned Research Council meeting, if applicable.
How often do the Research Council and Board of Directors meet?
The Research Council meets on the third Tuesday of the month, and the Board of Directors meets on the third Monday of the month.
How long does Mile Square approval take to complete?
The entire approval process can take anywhere from one to three months, depending on a variety of factors, including whether your project meets requirements for expedited or full review, and the Research Council meeting availability.
Does Mile Square have rentable, dedicated research space?
Yes, Mile Square - Main has rentable project space (varies by clinical site and availability). Research/QI teams should be sure to budget for this in their grant budget and in their indirect.
Questions about Research at Mile Square
If you have questions, please contact Senior Research Coordinator, Samantha Madrid at smadri4@uic.edu or Director Clinical Innovations and Research, Judes Fleurimont at jf24@uic.edu.
Thank you for your interest in collaborating with Mile Square Health Center; we look forward to working with you.
