Active Membership shall be available to surgeons, cardiologists and medical researchers/scientists with an interest in heart valve disease who have attained at least a relevant university graduate diploma or equivalent. Active Members shall have the right to vote on all matters brought before the Society, and shall be eligible for election to any office or to the Board of Directors. Active Members are expected to attend the regular meetings of the Society, to submit work to and participate in the scientific program, and to uphold the ideals and objectives of the Society.
Associate Membership shall be open to those in postgraduate training, whether clinical or non-clinical, having a vested interest in heart valve disease, and health care practitioners in the field of heart valve disease, including but not limited to physician's assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, technicians and health aides. Associate Members shall have the right to vote on all matters brought before the Society, and may serve on all committees and working groups of the Society, but are not eligible for election to any office or to the Board of Directors. Associate Members are expected to attend the regular meetings of the Society, to submit work to and participate in the scientific program, and to uphold the ideals and objectives of the Society.
Candidates for membership in the Society must be in a trainee program, including but not limited to student, resident, or postdoctoral fellow, which would qualify them for one of the two membership categories designated above, and must complete an application for membership. While persons are serving as candidate members, they will not have the right to vote and will not be eligible for election to any office or to the Board of Directors.