Key Society Leaders
Due to the public nature of their positions, members of the ASE Executive Committee (officers), members of the ASE Board of Directors, and Chairs of the Advocacy, Education, CME and Scientific Sessions Program committees and the Journal editors, are held to standards that exceed those other volunteer members.
Key Society leaders (defined as the president, president-elect, vice president, secretary, treasurer, council representative, immediate past president, and editors-in-chief of the journals (JASE/CASE), and CEO, may not have direct financial or uncompensated relationships with companies* during their terms of service in these capacities. Uncompensated services, scientific advisory committees, research support, stock ownership, book royalties, and other permitted relationships should nevertheless be disclosed to ASE and to the public.
* direct financial relationship with a company is defined as a compensated relationship that generates an IRS Form W-2 or 1099, or is taxable as income in any amount for services provided or ownership interest in a company. Mutual funds and other comingled investments in which the Key Society leader has no direct control is not considered a direct financial relationship. Key Society leaders may accept in-direct research support from companies as long as grant money is paid to the institution (e.g., academic medical center) or practice where research is conducted, not to the individual.
*an uncompensated relationship is a formal documented relationship with a company for which the individual receives no financial benefit for services provided. This includes but is not limited to diverting payment for services to charitable organizations (like donating the funds to the ASE Foundation).
A company is a for-profit entity that develops, produces, markets, or distributes drugs, devices, services, or therapies used to diagnose, treat, monitor, manage, and/or alleviate health conditions. It is also a for-profit entity that develops, produces or markets products to the medical community including medical journals, educational bodies, etc.
- Executive Committee members may not serve in simultaneous leadership positions on any other cardiovascular-related organization’s executive committee (as an officer) while serving on ASE’s executive committee.
- Executive Committee members may not provide testimonials and/or endorsement or participate as a speaker for a commercial entity relative to the cardiovascular field (e.g., device and pharmaceutical companies) where that endorsement has not been specifically approved by the ASE. ASE’s positions can be ascertained by contacting the CEO.
- Executive Committee members, Board members, and chairs of the Advocacy, CME, Education, and Scientific Sessions Program committees must declare any volunteer roles with other organizations, societies, or cardiovascular-related organizations where their cardiovascular expertise is utilized.
- Board Members and chairs of the Advocacy, CME, Education, and Scientific Sessions Program committees may not have direct financial relationships with companies during their term of service. Uncompensated services, research support, scientific sessions advisory board participation, stock ownership, book royalties, and other permitted relationships are allowed but should also be disclosed to the ASE