Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
Our Mission and Advertising Guidelines
To further our mission of making reliable spine health information and research available to the public, we accept advertising and sponsorship under strict guidelines. We will refuse any advertisement that we believe is incompatible with our mission. The presence of an ad on our site or in one of our newsletters does not imply endorsement of the advertised company or product. Advertisers and sponsors must not make unsubstantiated health claims or suggest that SCOLI has endorsed a product. Advertising may be placed on the site adjacent to content related to advertiser or sponsor interest, and also may be targeted to users by using non-personal data. Our sponsors and advertisers have agreed that they will not collect any personally identifiable information from our site visitors while they are on SCOLI’s health information website.
Separation of Editorial and Advertising Content
SCOLI maintains a distinct separation between advertising content and editorial content. All advertising content on SCOLI’s health information website or in one of our newsletters is clearly labeled as an advertisement. Sponsored areas of the site are labeled as such, and the sponsoring organizations are identified.
Types of Advertisements and Sponsors Accepted
SCOLI accepts advertisements and sponsorships from the following types of organizations:
- Medical device manufacturers
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Academic institutions
- Healthcare organizations
- Educational programs related to spine health
- Professional societies and associations
- Publishers of medical and scientific content
- Medical technology companies
Advertisements and Sponsors Not Accepted
SCOLI does not accept advertisements or sponsorships from:
- Organizations promoting treatments not supported by scientific evidence
- Companies making exaggerated or unsubstantiated claims about spine health treatments
- Products or services that could potentially harm patients
- Organizations whose mission conflicts with SCOLI’s commitment to evidence-based spine care
- Entities that discriminate based on race, sex, age, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic
Advertisement Format and Placement
- All advertisements are clearly distinguished from editorial content
- Advertisements are labeled with the word “Advertisement” when necessary for clarity
- Banner advertisements may be placed in designated areas of the website
- Sponsored content is clearly identified as such
- SCOLI maintains full control over the placement of advertisements
Review Process
All potential advertisers and sponsors are vetted by SCOLI’s leadership team to ensure alignment with our values and mission. We reserve the right to refuse or remove any advertisement or sponsorship at any time for any reason.
Disclosure of Relationships
SCOLI is committed to transparency in all of its operations. We disclose all significant financial relationships with sponsors and advertisers when relevant to our research or educational content.
Research Integrity
Our research integrity is paramount. SCOLI ensures that:
- Advertising and sponsorship arrangements do not influence research methodology, findings, or publication
- Sponsors have no input into the design, conduct, or reporting of research studies
- All potential conflicts of interest are disclosed in research publications
- Funding sources for research are transparently documented
Sponsored Events and Programs
For sponsored educational events, webinars, or programs:
- Sponsorship is clearly disclosed to all participants
- Sponsors have no control over educational content
- SCOLI maintains editorial independence in all educational materials
- Presenters disclose any relevant financial relationships with sponsors
Compliance with Regulations
All advertising and sponsorship arrangements comply with relevant regulations, including but not limited to:
- FDA regulations regarding promotion of medical devices and pharmaceuticals
- ACCME standards for commercial support of continuing medical education
- Healthcare compliance regulations regarding physician relationships with industry
Contact Information
For more detailed information about advertising and sponsorship on SCOLI’s health information website, please contact:
Department of Neurological Surgery
UPMC Presbyterian, Suite B-400
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-647-3685
Fax: 412-647-0989
For website-related inquiries:
Contact: Armani Manov
Phone: 412-647-3685