The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) is committed to the highest standards in cardiovascular ultrasound and creates standards and guidelines and educational materials to facilitate high quality patient care. This is articulated clearly in our mission statement and strategic goals. The ASE also welcomes all users of echo as members, all of whom have the ability to avail of the ASE’s offerings in education, networking and advocacy. However, availing of these offerings is a voluntary activity. There is an opportunity for members to express their concerns (“whistle blow”) regarding other ASE members (i.e. a written request with specific incidents) if there are violations of disclosure and representations made to the ASE, and we will take appropriate action in accordance with our bylaws, code of ethics and whistle blower policy.

While the ASE is not a certification body, we will adjudicate member misconduct as a non-profit organization that serves the public interest and the common good.
Procedure for Communicating Allegations of Member Misconduct

Adherence to ASE’s Code of Ethics is a condition of ASE membership. A member may be reprimanded, censured, dismissed from ASE Boards/Committees/Task forces and/or removed from ASE membership for violating the Code of Ethics in proceedings governed by the ASE Procedures.

An allegation of unethical behavior and/or unacknowledged conflict of interest shall be submitted  in writing, to ASE. The complaint will be forwarded to the chair of the Governance & Compliance Committee, with a copy to the ASE President. The Governance & Compliance Committee shall review the complaint to determine if there is sufficient reason to proceed.

If the committee, by majority vote, recommends proceeding, the ASE President shall appoint a separate ad hoc committee to review the matter, including interviewing the complainant and alleged offender, and make a recommendation to the President. Such recommendations could include dismissal of the complaint, a reprimand/or censure of the offender, dismissal of the offender from ASE Boards/Committees/Task Forces, and/or removal from ASE membership. After receiving any recommendation from the Ad Hoc Committee, the ASE President must consult with the Executive Committee.

If the Executive Committee concurs with a recommendation which calls for reprimand or censure, dismissal from ASE Boards/ Committees/Task Forces, and/or removal from ASE membership, the recommendation must be presented to the Board of Directors. A 2/3 vote of all members of the Board of Directors is required for removal from membership, as well as for reprimand, censure or removal from ASE Boards, Committees or Task Forces. Email or mail ballots may be used by Board of Directors not present.

Any member so reprimanded, censured, removed from ASE Boards, Committees or Task Forces or removed from membership may appeal the decision of the Board of Directors to the General Business meeting of the Board, providing that notice of intent to appeal is provided to the Executive Director at least 10 days in advance of the business meeting. The decision of the Executive Committee remains confidential until appeal. Attendees at the General Business Meeting, by a 2/3 vote of those present, may ask the Board of Directors to reconsider their recommendation. The Board of Directors must do so at their next scheduled meeting; a 2/3 vote is again required to reverse the original decision for removal from membership, as well as for reprimand, censure or removal from ASE Boards, Committee and or Task Forces.

If an ASE member is censured by or dismissed from other professional organizations, and/or has his/her professional license withdrawn, the Governance & Compliance Committee shall review the information available and make a recommendation to the ASE President concerning the member’s ASE status. The ASE President will then proceed, as above, by appointing a separate ad hoc committee to review the matter, etc.

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* Please include the name and address of the complainant (the individual filing the complaint).

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* Please include the name, address and contact information for the individual against whom the complaint is being filed.  Note:  All fields are required for this question, so if you do not have that information, please state "N/A" in that particular field.

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* Please explain the nature of the complaint, including any statement of facts, and your expectations for the outcome of the review (reprimand, censure or removal from ASE Boards, Committees, or membership).

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* Please upload any documents that support your allegation.

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* Please upload any documents that support your allegation.

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* Please upload any documents that support your allegation.

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* I declare that the information submitted is true, to the best of my knowledge.

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* Your Name

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