Medical Advisory Board

JinIX Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board (MAB) is a standing advisory body that provides expert scientific and clinical guidance to support the Foundation’s mission of integrating modern medical science with evidence-based wellness and healing practices.

The MAB serves in an advisory capacity only. It does not govern the Foundation, set operational policy, or direct staff. Authority over the Foundation’s operations, programs, and finances remains exclusively with the Board of Directors. The MAB’s role is to inform, advise, and help ensure the scientific integrity and safety of the Foundation’s programs and research partnerships.

The Medical Advisory Board advises the Foundation on matters within its collective scientific and clinical expertise. Core advisory responsibilities include:

• Program review. Evaluating the scientific basis, safety, and evidence quality of educational programs, retreats, workshops, and wellness curriculum to ensure content is grounded in current medical and scientific knowledge.
• Research guidance. Advising on research partnerships, outcome measurement methodologies, study design, and the interpretation of participant data in collaboration with academic and medical institution partners.
• Emerging evidence. Alerting the Foundation to relevant new developments in integrative medicine, meditation science, mental health, and related fields that may inform or strengthen programming.
• Safety standards. Recommending appropriate participant safety protocols, contraindication guidelines, and facilitator competency standards for all health-adjacent program activities.
• Instructor and facilitator vetting. Advising on qualifications, credentials, and standards for expert instructors, guest clinicians, and program facilitators engaged by the Foundation.
• Communications review. On request, reviewing health-related claims or scientific content in public-facing materials to ensure accuracy and appropriate scope.

The MAB does not provide direct medical care, clinical services, or treatment to program participants, and nothing in the MAB’s advisory role creates a physician-patient or therapist-client relationship between MAB members and Foundation participants.

The MAB shall be composed of individuals with distinguished professional backgrounds in fields relevant to the Foundation’s mission. Eligible areas of expertise include, but are not limited to:

• Internal medicine, psychiatry, neurology, or other clinical specialties;
• Integrative or functional medicine;
• Psychology, behavioral health, or mind-body medicine;
• Biomedical or clinical research;
• Meditation science, contemplative studies, or related academic fields; and
• Rare disease research or patient advocacy, where relevant to Foundation partnerships.

Size. The MAB shall consist of no fewer than three (3) and no more than fifteen (15) members, with the Board of Directors determining the appropriate size based on organizational needs.

Diversity. The Foundation is committed to assembling an MAB that reflects diversity across clinical specialty, academic discipline, gender, background, and lived experience. The Board of Directors shall consider diversity as a factor in all MAB appointments.

Chair. The Board of Directors shall designate an MAB Chair from among the membership. The Chair is responsible for facilitating meetings, coordinating communications with Foundation leadership, and representing the MAB in interactions with the Board of Directors.

Appointment process. MAB members are appointed by the Board of Directors, with input from the MAB Chair and Foundation leadership. Nominations may come from Board members, existing MAB members, program partners, or other sources. The Board of Directors has sole authority to confirm appointments.

Term length. Members serve two-year terms, renewable by mutual agreement between the member and the Board of Directors. There is no limit on the number of terms a member may serve.

Onboarding. Upon appointment, each new MAB member shall:

1. Receive and review the MAB Policies & Procedures;
2. Sign an MAB Member Agreement acknowledging the advisory (non-governance) nature of the role;
3. Complete and submit a Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure Form consistent with the Foundation's Conflict-of-Interest Policy; and
4. Participate in an orientation meeting with Foundation leadership.

Resignation. A member may resign at any time by providing written notice to the MAB Chair or the Foundation’s Executive Director. Thirty days’ notice is appreciated but not required.

Removal. The Board of Directors may remove an MAB member at any time, with or without cause, by written notice. Grounds for removal may include failure to meet participation expectations, a material conflict of interest that cannot be resolved, conduct inconsistent with the Foundation’s values, or other circumstances the Board deems warranting removal.

Meeting frequency. The MAB shall meet at least twice per year, either in person or via video conference. Additional meetings may be convened at the request of the MAB Chair, the Board of Directors, or Foundation leadership as circumstances warrant.

Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of MAB business shall be a simple majority of current MAB members. Advisory recommendations may be made with a quorum present.

Attendance expectations. Members are expected to attend at least two-thirds of scheduled MAB meetings per year. Members who are unable to attend a meeting are encouraged to submit written input in advance. Consistent absence without communication may be grounds for review of continued membership.

Between meetings. The MAB Chair or Foundation leadership may circulate materials for written input or convene ad hoc working groups to address time-sensitive matters between scheduled meetings.

Minutes. Foundation staff shall prepare and distribute meeting minutes to all MAB members within 30 days of each meeting. Minutes are maintained as internal records of the Foundation.

MAB members are subject to the Foundation’s Conflict-of-Interest Policy and must disclose any actual or potential conflicts relevant to their advisory role. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Financial interests in organizations whose products, services, or research may be evaluated or recommended by the MAB;
• Employment, consulting, or board relationships with entities that have or seek a relationship with the Foundation;
• Personal or professional relationships that could compromise the objectivity of advice given; and
• Receipt of honoraria, speaking fees, or other compensation from parties with interests in MAB advisory matters.

Members shall complete an annual Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure Form and must promptly disclose any new conflicts that arise during their term. When a conflict exists with respect to a specific matter under discussion, the member shall disclose the conflict, refrain from participating in deliberations on that matter, and not seek to influence the outcome.

MAB members may have access to confidential information about the Foundation’s programs, partnerships, research activities, participants, finances, and strategic plans. All MAB members are expected to:

• Hold confidential information in strict confidence and not disclose it to any third party without the Foundation's prior written consent;
• Use confidential information only for the purpose of fulfilling their advisory responsibilities to the Foundation;
• Return or destroy Foundation materials containing confidential information upon request or upon conclusion of their term; and
• Treat participant health information with the highest level of privacy protection, consistent with the Foundation's Privacy Policy.

Confidentiality obligations survive the conclusion of an MAB member’s term and continue indefinitely with respect to information that remains non-public.

Volunteer service. MAB membership is an uncompensated volunteer role. Members do not receive salary, stipends, or fees for their advisory service.

Expense reimbursement. The Foundation may, at its discretion, reimburse MAB members for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with Foundation activities — such as travel to in-person meetings or events — subject to prior approval and the Foundation’s expense reimbursement procedures.

Program participation. MAB members may be invited to participate in Foundation programs, retreats, or events as guests of the Foundation. Such invitations are extended at the Foundation’s discretion and do not constitute compensation.

Independence. The volunteer nature of MAB service is intended to preserve the independence and objectivity of the advisory function. Members are encouraged to disclose any circumstance that could create the appearance of a financial incentive influencing their advice.

The MAB reports to and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The relationship between the MAB and the Board is structured as follows:

• Advisory only. MAB recommendations are advisory in nature. The Board of Directors retains full authority to accept, modify, or decline any MAB recommendation in its sole discretion.
• Reporting. The MAB Chair shall provide a written or oral report to the Board of Directors at least annually, summarizing MAB activities, recommendations, and any concerns raised during the year.
• Board liaison. The Board of Directors may designate a Board member to serve as a liaison to the MAB, attending MAB meetings in a non-voting capacity and facilitating communication between the two bodies.
• No governance authority. MAB members, by virtue of their advisory role, have no authority to bind the Foundation, enter into agreements on its behalf, direct Foundation staff, or exercise fiduciary duties.

The Foundation may publicly recognize MAB members on its website, in program materials, and in other communications with the member’s prior consent. Members may identify their affiliation with the JinIX Foundation MAB in professional contexts, subject to the following:

• Members shall not imply that their personal views or public statements represent the position of the Foundation or the MAB as a body unless expressly authorized to do so;
• Members shall not use the Foundation's name or their MAB affiliation in commercial or promotional contexts without prior written approval from Foundation leadership; and
• Upon conclusion of their term, members shall update any public or professional profiles to reflect their former advisory status.

These Policies & Procedures shall be reviewed by Foundation leadership and the MAB Chair at least annually. Proposed amendments may be initiated by the MAB Chair, Foundation leadership, or the Board of Directors.

Amendments take effect upon approval by the Board of Directors. All current MAB members shall be notified of any material changes and provided with an updated copy of the document within 30 days of adoption.