United Health Services Center for Research
Mission, Vision & Values
At the Center for Research at United Health Services (UHS), we are committed to advancing science in service of patient care — locally and globally. As part of a community-based, patient-centered health system, our research mission aligns closely with UHS’s values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation.
Our Mission
To improve health outcomes through high-quality scientific research that supports compassionate, evidence-based care for the communities we serve and contributes to medical knowledge worldwide.
Our Vision
To become a leading hub for collaborative, innovative research — connecting UHS experts with national and global partners to generate discoveries that transform patient care across our region and beyond.
Our Values
- Compassion: We conduct research with empathy and a deep respect for the dignity and well-being of all participants, ensuring that our work serves those most in need.
- Trust: We uphold the highest standards of research integrity, regulatory compliance, and transparency to build and maintain trust with our patients, communities, and collaborators.
- Respect: We honor the voices, contributions, and lived experiences of every research participant, colleague, and partner, fostering an inclusive and equitable research environment.
- Teamwork: We promote interdisciplinary collaboration across UHS and beyond, leveraging collective expertise to solve complex healthcare challenges.
- Innovation: We support cutting-edge research and continuous learning that lead to scientific breakthroughs, improved treatments, and better patient care.
Organizational Structure
The Center for Research at United Health Services is led by a multidisciplinary team committed to supporting high-quality, patient-centered research across the health system. We coordinate clinical trials and collaborative research initiatives while fostering ethical standards and scientific integrity.
Leadership & Team
- Stanley Hunter, MD
Director of Research
Provides strategic direction for the research program, fosters institutional and external collaborations, and oversees the integration of research into clinical care.
- Terri Peters, RN
Manager of Research
Oversees daily operations of clinical research activities, regulatory compliance, staff training, and protocol execution.
- Liliane El-Kassis, MD
Chair, Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Leads the IRB in overseeing the ethical conduct of human subjects research at UHS, ensuring compliance with regulatory and institutional standards.
- Hisham Kashou, MD
Vice Chair, Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Supports IRB operations and reviews, assisting with oversight of research protocols and participant protections.
- B. Max Kammerman, MD
Initial Reviewer, Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Supports expeditious processing of research protocols. As IRB Initial Reviewer, Dr. Kammerman reviews studies eligible for expedited IRB review. If a proposal requires modification to meet criteria, he collaborates with the Principal Investigator to revise accordingly or guides the proposal through the standard review pathway.
- Kathy Hughes, RN
Research Assistant
Supports participant screening, enrollment, data collection, and study coordination across various research protocols.
- David Blakney
Research Assistant
Assists in the implementation and monitoring of clinical studies, including patient follow-up and data integrity.
Additional Roles & Collaborators
- Clinical departments across UHS to support investigator-initiated studies and clinical trial participation.
- The Institutional Review Board (IRB) to uphold the ethical and regulatory standards of all research involving human participants.
- External partners, including academic institutions, industry sponsors, and public agencies, to advance collaborative research initiatives.
Research Areas & Initiatives
United Health Services is engaged in a growing range of research activities that reflect both our institutional priorities and our commitment to improving patient care. Our research areas span multiple disciplines, with particular focus on projects that translate directly to community health benefits.
Featured Research Areas
- Concussion and Sports Injury Research
In collaboration with Binghamton University, UHS contributes to pioneering research on concussion detection, treatment, and recovery. These studies aim to improve outcomes for student-athletes and the broader population affected by traumatic brain injury.
- Motion Science and Biomechanics
Through partnerships with labs such as the Motion Analysis Research Laboratory (MARL) and the Brain and Body Imaging Research Center (BBIRC) at Binghamton University, UHS researchers explore the biomechanics of movement and rehabilitation — supporting advances in orthopedic and neuromuscular care.
- Cognitive Aging and Behavioral Science
UHS collaborates with cognitive science laboratories on research involving memory, perception, and behavioral performance. These studies provide insights into aging, dementia, and neurologically informed approaches to care.
- Laboratory and Diagnostic Research
With access to high-quality diagnostic data and tissue samples, UHS supports research into infectious disease testing, assay development, and lab-based diagnostic tools in partnership with institutions such as QuidelOrtho Corporation and the Laboratory Alliance of Central New York (LACNY).
- Biospecimen Collection & Translational Research
Our expedited pathway facilitates low-risk studies involving de-identified biological samples (e.g., blood, urine) that would otherwise be discarded. These studies help support diagnostic innovation, biomarker discovery, and faster research cycles with minimal participant risk.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to grow our research infrastructure, we remain focused on research that:
- Directly improves patient outcomes
- Reduces health disparities in our community
- Advances health system performance and innovation
- Creates opportunities for student learning and collaboration