Van Andel Research Institute Biorepository earns re-accreditation from the College of American Pathologists

Grand Rapids, Mich. (August 2, 2018) — The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded re-accreditation to the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) Biorepository, based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs.

The facility’s director, Scott Jewell, Ph.D., was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the superb quality of the services being provided. The VARI Biorepository is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

“Van Andel Research Institute’s Pathology and Biorepository Core pursues CAP biorepository accreditation to maintain excellence in service to the Institute’s research and its mission to improve human health,” Jewell said. “We are thrilled to have once again earned this important and objective stamp of approval on our methods.”

The CAP, first in the industry to offer an accreditation program for biorepositories, based the program on the principles of its Laboratory Accreditation Program. The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the government’s own inspection program. Currently, there is no federal mandate for biorepository accreditation.

“The CAP is pleased to recognize the Van Andel Research Institute Biorepository as meeting the high standard set as part of the CAP’s Biorepository Accreditation Program,” said Bharati Jhaveri, M.D., FCAP, chair of the CAP’s Council on Accreditation. “The VARI Biorepository joins the thousands of others that are committed to raising the quality of biorepository services nationally and internationally.”

The VARI Biorepository earned initial accreditation from CAP in 2012. It subsequently was re-accredited in 2015 and, most recently, in July of this year.

The CAP Biorepository Accreditation process, a three-year accreditation cycle, includes on-site inspection, desk review, and optional education modules and gap assessment. As part of the on-site inspection, the CAP uses Accreditation Checklists to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date blueprint of quality practices to assist biorepositories in improving their operations and ensuring quality. Further, a desk review offers a remote review of a biorepository’s quality management plan, certain procedures and select quality and process statistics. The program is designed to ensure the highest standards in patient care and research.

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ABOUT VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent nonprofit biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, VAI has grown into a premier research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 400 scientists, educators and staff. Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), VAI’s research division, is dedicated to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies. The Institute’s scientists work in on-site laboratories and participate in collaborative partnerships that span the globe. Learn more about Van Andel Institute or donate by visiting vai.org. 100% To Research, Discovery & Hope^®

ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF AMERICAN PATHOLOGISTS

As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, read the CAP Annual Report at cap.org.