Governance

A clear operating model for a multi-decade program.

The initiative's governance framework is deliberately structured to preserve scientific rigor, protect patient interests, and enable sustained growth — while dividing responsibility cleanly across three institutions.

Operational engine.

HIER Institute

Advanced imaging analytics, artificial intelligence, registry development, translational science, regulatory operations, and industry partnerships.

Mission & community.

Heart Spark RII

Scientific collaboration, education, trainee development, patient engagement, dissemination, and philanthropic support.

Clinical & academic home.

Dartmouth Radiation Oncology

Treatment-planning CT, dosimetry, radiation delivery, longitudinal outcomes, and multidisciplinary faculty across cardio-oncology, radiology, medical physics, and AI.

Umbrella Master Protocol

One master. Many sub-studies.

The scientific program is structured as an umbrella master protocol under which retrospective, prospective, AI, radiomics, imaging biomarker, implementation science, and outcomes investigations can proceed through amendments rather than new IRB submissions.

Retrospective Master Protocol

Existing planning CT, dose maps, EHR, laboratory, cardiovascular imaging, medications, and longitudinal outcomes — under HIPAA waiver of consent.

Prospective Master Protocol

Prospective enrollment, informed consent, biospecimen collection, patient-reported outcomes, wearables, and long-term follow-up.

AI/ML Protocol

Development, validation, and deployment of deep learning models on de-identified imaging and structured data.

Radiomics Protocol

Feature extraction pipelines, harmonization, and predictive signature discovery.

Imaging & Dosimetry Manuals

Standard operating procedures for image acquisition, dose extraction, segmentation, quality control, and annotation.

Data Coordinating Center Manual

Data flow, security, REDCap dictionaries, case report forms, and audit procedures.

Principles

Scientific rigor. Patient dignity. Equitable access.

Transparent authorship & credit
Prospective publication planning
Open data sharing where appropriate
Rigorous data security & HIPAA compliance
Community & patient engagement
Equity-first research design
Reproducibility & pre-registration
Trainee mentorship at every stage
Responsible AI development