Governance & Transparency
Accountability, ethical standards, and institutional integrity
Our Commitment to Transparency
The American Society of Hirudotherapy operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization (EIN 92-2997844). We are committed to audit-ready transparency in governance, finance, and scientific integrity. This page provides a single reference for our organizational accountability framework.
Legal & Tax Status
Board of Directors
The Board holds ultimate legal and fiduciary authority over the organization. Board members serve without compensation and submit annual conflict-of-interest disclosures. The Board meets quarterly to review organizational performance, approve financial statements, and ensure mission compliance.
Governance Policies
Conflict of Interest
All board members, advisors, and content contributors disclose financial and non-financial conflicts annually. Disclosures are reviewed by the Board and available on request. Contributors with material conflicts are recused from related decisions.
Scientific Integrity
Published content undergoes internal review for accuracy, balance, and citation quality. Content is never influenced by donors, sponsors, or commercial partners. Errors are corrected promptly with transparent correction notices.
Financial Transparency
Annual financial summaries, program expenditure breakdowns, and funding source disclosures are published on our Annual Report page. Form 990 is publicly available.
Editorial Independence
No clinical content is influenced by donors, sponsors, advertisers, or commercial partners. Evidence is evaluated on its merits. Negative or inconclusive findings are reported with the same rigor as favorable results.
Whistleblower Protection
The organization maintains a whistleblower policy that protects individuals who report concerns about financial misconduct, ethical violations, or regulatory non-compliance in good faith.
Document Retention
The organization follows a document retention and destruction policy consistent with IRS and state requirements for nonprofit organizations.
Financial Accountability
As a 501(c)(3) organization, ASH files Form 990 with the IRS annually. Financial information is available upon request and through our Annual Report.
Regulatory Compliance
- FDA 510(k) terminology compliance in all published content
- Evidence-over-anecdote editorial standard
- No unhedged therapeutic claims for investigational applications
- Adverse event reporting guidance for practitioners
- HIPAA-compliant data handling for any patient information
Governance Inquiries
For questions about governance, financial transparency, or organizational policies, contact the Board of Directors.