Hello Peter,

My position is that of compliance coordinator at a hospital based
research program.  Our IRB Committee is made up of several physicians
and PhDs from various speciality areas, along with representation from
areas such as Pharmacy, Social Work, Nursing, and Legal Services.
Although OPRR regulations do not mandate the IRB Chairperson to be an
MD or PhD, it is vital that the chairperson  be someone who is not only
viewed by Committee members and PI's utilizing the IRB as someone of
strength and high standing, but also would not be pressured or
intimidated by others.  Because the majority of human studies which are
reviewed by our IRB have physician principal investigators (many of
whom hold senior faculty positions at an affiliated medical school) we
feel  our chairperson should be a senior physician in order to garner the
respect of the rest of the Committee and the physician investigators.

Of course, the culture of our organization may not be the same as yours.
If you feel that this particular individual will be able to command the
respect of the researchers and committee members, her non-MD status
may not be an issue.

Good luck.

BW