AMWA Privacy Policy, Terms, and Conditions

Introduction

The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) is a nonprofit individual membership organization for medical communication professionals. AMWA respects the privacy of its members, customers, and other visitors to its website (Users). To protect online privacy, AMWA has implemented the following policy.

Personal information collected by AMWA

It is AMWA general policy to collect and store personal information that Users knowingly provide. AMWA collects this information in many ways.

1. Membership

When you become an AMWA member, we collect information including (but not limited to) name, employer’s name, preferred mailing address (including country location), and email address. We ask members to voluntarily provide additional profile information. This personal information is stored in a database record which members may edit at any time to change, add, or remove personal information.

2. Non-member accounts 

In order to obtain access to AMWA resources, it is necessary to have a database record with AMWA. This includes (but is not limited to) registering for one of AMWA’s events (in-person or online), participating in our online learning program, applying for certification, posting a job, and subscribing to our Journal.  Some individuals may choose to join AMWA while others may prefer to create a non-member account. When a non-member account is created, we will collect name and contact information, which we will store in our database and use to provide information and services associated with AMWA’s events and products. You may edit your record at any time to change, add, or remove personal information.

3. Website visitors

Visitors to our website may access a significant amount of information without having to create a member or non-member record. AMWA uses website analytics tools to understand what content our users find useful or interesting, so we can produce the most valuable content to meet the needs of our customers. Aggregate data (such as number of hits per page) are used for internal and marketing purposes and do not provide any personally identifying information. Please see section on use of AMWA website for additional information.

4. Correspondence with AMWA

If you correspond with us by email, the postal service, or other form of communication, we may retain such correspondence and the information contained in it and use it to respond to your inquiry; to notify you of AMWA products and services; or to keep a record of the correspondence. 

5. Payment card information

If you purchase goods or services from the AMWA website using a payment card, your personal information is entered directly by you into the online PCI-compliant payment processing service, and AMWA does not, itself, process or store the card information. Occasionally, members or customers ask AMWA employees to, on their behalf, enter payment card information into the PCI-compliant payment processing service to complete a payment. We strongly encourage you not to submit this information by email. When AMWA employees receive payment card information from customers or members by email, fax, phone, or mail, it is entered as instructed and then deleted or destroyed.

6. Survey Data

AMWA may conduct surveys in order to produce original research, obtain information about member needs, and to receive feedback on product and services. Responses are confidential and results are presented in the aggregate only. Occasionally, personal data may be collected during surveys in order to provide participation prizes or fulfill other goals. Participation in surveys is voluntary.

7. Information we receive from third parties

From time to time, AMWA receives personal information from third parties. This may happen if your employer signs you up for membership, registers you for an event, or makes a purchase on your behalf. All accounts created through this type of activity belong to the individual and the individual may edit his/her record at any time to change, add, or remove personal information.

Some personal information is necessary in order for AMWA to provide you with the products and services you have purchased or requested, and to authenticate you so that we know it is you and not someone else. If you have a record with AMWA, you may manage your personal information and update your email preferences at any time.

We do not knowingly attempt to obtain or collect information from children.

Processing of personal information collected by AMWA

AMWA processes personal data in order to provide you with the products or services you have requested or purchased from us, including, but not limited to, membership benefits, education, certification, publications, career tools, and other resources. We may use this information to refine our offerings to better tailor them to your needs and to communicate with you about other services AMWA offers that may assist you in your career or professional development goals. AMWA aims to only contract with data processors that are and intend to remain compliant with the most up to date regulations for data privacy and security.  

The privacy policies of each contracted processing vendor will be available from the related webpages on the amwa.org website or may be requested at any time by contacting amwa@amwa.org.

Use of the AMWA.org Website

As is true of most other websites, AMWA’s website collects information about visitors. This information may include internet protocol (IP) addresses, the region or general location where the computer or device is accessing the internet, browser type, and other website usage information. AMWA’s website uses a web analytics service, and  a digital marketing platform, to collect website traffic and visitor information. 

In addition to the main website at www.amwa.org, AMWA offers Users access to an online community, online learning management system, and job search platform. Use of these platforms is governed by AMWA’s privacy policy and the privacy policies of the individual providers. Contact amwa@amwa.org to request privacy policy information about our website service providers.

The AMWA website includes links to third-party websites where you may find relevant information about medical communication. At these times, you will be leaving the AMWA website. AMWA is not responsible or liable for content provided by these third-party websites or personal information they may happen to gather from you.

The AMWA website also links to social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and others. If you choose to "like" or share information from the AMWA website through these services, you should review the privacy policy of that service.

Cookies and Web Beacons

Cookies are pieces of data that a website transfers to a user's hard drive for record-keeping purposes. Web beacons are transparent pixel images that are used in collecting information about website usage, email response, and tracking.

This website uses cookies and web beacons to provide enhanced functionality to users and to aggregate traffic data. AMWA may also use cookies and web beacons in association with the digital marketing system. AMWA uses cookies and web beacons to facilitate automated activity, store and track passwords, determine appropriate communications, and review navigation patterns.

You have many choices with regards to the management of cookies on your computer. All major browsers allow you to block or delete cookies from your system, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. To learn more about your ability to manage cookies and web beacons, please consult the privacy features in your browser.

When and how we share information with others. We do not reveal your personal data to third-parties for their independent use unless you request or authorize it or the information must be provided in order to comply with the law or contract requirement. AMWA may provide personal data to third-parties in order to enhance your experience with AMWA in the following ways.  You may opt out at any time.

1. AMWA Chapters

AMWA members may elect to join a chapter that provides AMWA education and networking opportunities to a specific regional area. Chapters are organized by volunteers. AMWA shares the personal information of members with the appropriate chapter leaders for the purpose of communicating chapter specific information. Membership in a chapter is voluntary. Members may contact their chapter leaders to opt out of chapter communications.

2. Online Directories

AMWA makes member contact information available through the online AMWA Membership Directory to other members using its website. Participation in the AMWA Member Directory is voluntary and members may modify their settings at any time.

AMWA makes certain member contact information available to the public through the online AMWA Freelance Directory with the expressed consent of the member. Participation in the Freelance Directory is voluntary and members may modify their settings at any time.

AMWA makes certain user information available to the public through an online Medical Writing Certified (MWC) Directory. The directory is designed to recognize those who have earned the MWC credential. Users may request to be removed from this directory by contacting amwa@amwa.org.  

3. Partners, Sponsors, and Advertisers

On occasion, AMWA may also provide limited data to third-parties that have sponsored AMWA or have paid AMWA to advertise their products and services. These limited data may include names, job titles, and companies, but do not include mailing addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, or email addresses. If needed, AMWA will manage all communications from third-parties to our members and users in order to ensure adherence to this privacy policy.

Users may contact AMWA at amwa@amwa.org or 240-238-0940 to express their preferences if they do not wish to have this information shared.

Data storage and retention

Your personal data is stored by AMWA on the servers of the cloud-based database and data processors that AMWA contracts with, and on our internal servers located in the United States. AMWA retains personal data in order to fulfill the necessary processing for legitimate business purposes and for the duration of the user’s business relationship with AMWA. For more information on where and how long your personal data is stored, please contact amwa@amwa.org.

Note: if you ask AMWA not to contact you by email at a certain email address, we will need to retain a copy of that email address on a master “unsubscribe” list in order to comply with your request.

Acceptance of Privacy Policy

By using this website, you agree to the terms and conditions contained in this Privacy Policy and any other agreement that we might have with you. If you do not agree to any of these terms and conditions, you should not use this website or any AMWA member benefits, programs or services.

Notification of Changes

In order to meet the ongoing responsibility for maintain privacy, AMWA may from time to time update this Privacy Policy. If our privacy policies change, AMWA will notify all users by email or a special announcement placed on the website.

Questions, concerns, or complaints

This Privacy Policy is intended to provide you with information about what personal data AMWA collects about you and how it is used.  If you have any questions, or if you have concerns about how AMWA handles your personal information, please contact us at amwa@amwa.org or call 240-238-0940.