About / Independence
We share what was learned, not what was sponsored.
AHIS works with patients, clinicians, health systems, advocacy organizations and industry. That only works if everyone can trust that our standards, findings and decisions are our own. This page explains how we protect that.
Principles of collaboration
Five principles, in every program.
Statement of independence and non-promotional conduct
AHIS is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the implementation of evidence-based care through cross-sector collaboration. AHIS operates on a non-promotional basis and does not endorse or recommend specific therapies, products, manufacturers, healthcare providers or treatment decisions. Participation by sponsors, members, collaborators or implementation partners does not imply endorsement by AHIS, nor does it confer preferential treatment within AHIS programs or initiatives. Organizations providing financial support may help identify implementation challenges, target populations or desired health outcomes. The design, governance, implementation strategy and evaluation of AHIS programs remain independent and are guided by scientific evidence, stakeholder input, implementation science and applicable governance policies. Clinical decisions remain the responsibility of patients and their licensed healthcare professionals. Implementation Support Programs are intended to improve the adoption of evidence-based care, generate measurable implementation outcomes and contribute to shared learning. Program funding supports implementation activities and does not influence clinical recommendations or product selection. Where appropriate, AHIS may use shared implementation infrastructure, affiliated implementation organizations, digital technologies, diagnostics or other implementation partners to support approved program objectives while maintaining independent governance and adherence to these principles.
Who governs
An independent Board, and growing.
The AHIS Board holds governance and fiduciary authority. Governance is growing in phases: in Phase 1, the Board, led by President Deanna Darlington, does the work of governance as it grows. Phase 2 adds an Implementation Advisory Committee of clinicians, leaders and patients, an Affinity Group for the patient and community voice, and a Sponsor Advisory Council. Sponsors give non-binding input only.
Our CEO, who also founded Rabble Health, recuses from any AHIS decision involving Rabble Health. Those decisions are made by the Board's independent directors.
How funding works
Funding supports the work. It never directs it.
AHIS is funded through three separate categories. Participation in one does not require participation in another, and none of them confers governance authority.
Sponsors may help identify implementation challenges, populations or outcomes of interest. Design, governance and evaluation stay independent. Sponsors receive aggregate, de-identified results only.
Regardless of funding source:
- Sponsors do not control educational content.
- Sponsors do not determine scientific conclusions.
- Sponsors do not influence governance decisions.
- Sponsors are disclosed.
- Participation does not imply endorsement or preferential treatment.
Our technology partner
How our programs are delivered.
Rabble Health is AHIS's management and implementation partner and an AHIS affiliate, founded by AHIS's CEO. It provides the technology, data management and analytics that our Implementation Support Programs run on, under a written services and implementation agreement.
- Our CEO recuses. AHIS's CEO, who founded Rabble Health, recuses from any AHIS decision involving Rabble Health. Those decisions are made by the Board's independent directors.
- AHIS stays independent. The AHIS Board keeps all fiduciary duties and authority over AHIS charitable assets, governance and filings.
- Licensed, not owned. AHIS uses Rabble Health's methods and technology under a nominal-fee license for its charitable work. Rabble Health retains ownership of its technology and named initiatives, including CLEAR, RAPID, VITAL, FAST and GRAFT.
- Services are paid separately. Rabble Health is compensated for defined services under approved budgets and statements of work, and AHIS funds may not be used to confer private benefit.
- Patient data is protected. Participant information is used only as permitted by law, consent, protocol and IRB determinations.
Conflicts of interest
Every relationship, disclosed.
Board members, scientific advisors, contributors, reviewers, consultants and staff participating in AHIS activities are expected to disclose relevant financial, professional or organizational relationships that could reasonably be perceived as influencing their work. When potential conflicts are identified, AHIS puts management strategies in place to protect the integrity of its educational and scientific activities.
AHIS is non-promotional. We do not endorse therapies, products, providers or sponsors, and clinical decisions remain with patients and licensed healthcare professionals.
Disclosures and filings
The details.
Policies
Questions about how we work?
We're glad to walk you through our governance, funding and policies.