Policies and Procedures Regarding American College of Cardiology and American College of Cardiology Foundation Disclosures of Relationships and Competing Interests with Industry

The American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American College of Cardiology ("College") are committed to ensuring balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in their governance, programmatic, educational, chapter, and other activities. Fulfilling this commitment depends on member and public confidence in the College's integrity and objectivity. The College recognizes that the activities of College members in their practice, research, and other volunteer and private endeavors could lead to the development of conflicts of interest. Therefore, the College has established a Disclosure Policy and conflict of interest management process as appropriate. All members involved in College governance, including all committees and task forces, programmatic, certified educational, chapter, and other activities must provide complete, timely, accurate, and signed disclosure statements. Compliance with this process is mandatory for participation in College activities. Reporting requirements differ for involvement in certified educational activities versus all other College requirements.

Trustees and members must disclose all financial, personal, volunteer and professional interests and relationships (including those of spouses, other immediate family members and business partners, as defined) within the last 12 months.

The responsibility for identifying and disclosing information related to any given activity is that of the member. The presence of a competing interest or relationship does not necessarily result in ineligibility or disqualification. In some cases, the individual's participation may need to be modified or avoided as determined by the requirements of the activity and disinterested members of the College. Any questions should be directed to the Chair of your committee, board, or task force.