Ballad Health Research Institute earns full AAHRPP accreditation

Ballad Health Research Institute has earned full accreditation from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP), the premier international mark of excellence for organizations that conduct clinical trials.

Earning accreditation from AAHRPP reflects an organization’s commitment to the highest standards of ethics, participant safety and research quality. It signifies that Ballad Health Research Institute voluntarily met rigorous requirements that exceed basic federal and international regulations. The process includes an extensive review of policies and procedures, a detailed evaluation of research operations and a site visit from experts in human research protections.

“Research ensures that our patients are given access to the most advanced treatments and technologies available in modern medicine,” said Ballad Health Chairman and CEO Alan Levine. “It strengthens the care we provide today while positioning our region to drive medical innovation and share that knowledge with the world.”

Ballad Health Research Institute supports, develops and oversees research across Ballad Health to advance scientific discovery, improve clinical outcomes and bring innovative therapies to patients in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The institute coordinates clinical trials, ensures regulatory compliance, protects research participants and assists investigators across a wide range of medical and scientific studies. Its current participation includes more than 140 active clinical trials spanning oncology, cardiology, neurology, endocrinology and other specialties.

“This accreditation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the people who make research possible,” said Quincy J. Byrdsong, vice president of research operations for Ballad Health. “Earning this distinction places Ballad Health Research Institute among an elite group of research programs that uphold the highest standards of safety and integrity. It affirms that the systems we have built protect participants while supporting high-quality scientific discovery across our region.”

AAHRPP accreditation is considered the gold standard for organizations that conduct clinical trials. The organization announced Ballad Health Research Institute’s accreditation as part of its December 2025 decisions, which included six newly accredited organizations worldwide. The association also awarded reaccreditation to 16 organizations.