ASU nursing faculty member selected by national council


Sandra Shire, director of the Master of Science in Regulatory Science and Health Safety program at ASU’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation, has been selected as a member of the Underwriter’s Laboratory Medical Management Systems Impartiality Council (MMSIC). Her appointment was effective in October.

“It’s an honor to have been selected for this important committee," Shire said. "As our academic programs grow, working with external stakeholders in the regulatory arena will bring attention to ASU’s interdisciplinary programs. I believe that my background as a regulator and a clinician can bring a unique perspective to MMSIC as they strive to maintain impartiality.”

Founded in 2009, the MMSIC is an end-to-end provider of regulatory and certification services for the Health Sciences industry, including regulatory services to medical manufacturers in Canada, Europe, Australia, Taiwan and the United States.

Appointments to the MMSIC are usually for three years. Upon expiration of a term, the member may serve another three-year term. The MMSIC meets at least once each year in person and participates in teleconferences at least once per quarter, and maintains regular communication with each other through correspondence.

“Dr. Shire's expertise and leadership in the fields of regulatory science and public health make her a terrific choice for this honor,” said Teri Pipe, dean of ASU’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation. “Her service on the council will help ensure impartiality and fairness in the pursuit of public safety in the realm of device design and quality. We are very proud of Dr. Shire's continued recognition for sound judgment, deep and broad expertise and the leadership skills that make her such an asset to the college and to the larger field of health care.”

Shire had a 25-year career on active duty with the U.S. Public Health Service, starting as a clinical practitioner and then transitioning into the regulatory field. She began her career in clinical practice working as a dentist at an inner-city clinic in Harlem, New York, and then later as chief dental officer at a federal prison in Otisville, N.Y., and volunteer dentist at an Indian Health Service site in Fort McDermitt, Nev. While working on her master’s degree, she landed a job with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, reviewing dental products to ensure they had met all safety and efficacy-related requirements. She later worked in an FDA field office, inspecting clinical research on new medical products. 

In 2009, Shire was hired by ASU’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation and developed a new master’s program in Regulatory Science, partnering with the FDA on the development of curriculum creation of new courses and recruitment of faculty.

“The Regulatory Science and Clinical Research Management programs at the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at ASU offer students top quality education in the emerging field of medical product trials and regulation,” Shire said. “In order to provide a balanced education, we draw faculty from three diverse sectors: government regulators, industry and academia. I am thrilled with the community’s response to our students and our alumni, and look forward to aligning our programs to further meet the changing needs of the industry.”