Email Address Protection

In response to concerns voiced by several members who have had an increase in spam in recent months since our last website update, we have made a change in the manner in which email addresses are accessed and utilized on the FAPA website. This change is effective as of February 7th, 2006. Most of you are probably not aware that there are robot programs out there utilized by advertisers and spammers that randomly search the web looking for lists of email addresses in the public domain that they can "appropriate" and use for their own purposes. This is one way we all get all those unwanted advertisements and solicitations through the email system on the web.

Our website technical guru, Wyn Bryant at the FAPA Headquarters, at my direction has set it up now so that you do not directly see anyone's email address on the public domain portion of the website. Where the email address was previously on any listing on the public domain portion of the website you will now see the phrase, "Send Email" as a link to an email form. To send that person an email, simply click on the link and a new email form appears. You will notice the person's name in the TO: box but not their address. You will then need to type in your email address as the sender. Type in the subject and the message as you would in any email. To send the email, you then click on SUBMIT. The email is routed thru the server in the FAPA Headquarters. In order for you to get the email address of the person you are sending an email to, they will have to respond to your email. This new system actually just adds one click to send someone an email but it offers the best privacy and protection we can give the membership in regards to their email addresses. Sorry but we have no control over email addresses that have already been stolen by some robot in the past and are now in the hands of some spammer. We realize this may be considered an inconvenience by some but we feel it is the right thing to do to protect the privacy of your email address. We welcome your comments, good and bad.

This is just another effort by FAPA to serve the membership. If you are not a member and this problem was one that kept you from joining, what is your excuse now? FAPA is the only organization in Florida fighting to protect your practice rights, and promoting the PA profession here in Florida. Join now please. Your support is going to be vital in the coming legislative session as we face some difficult issues.

Ron Pace, PA-C
FAPA Website Coordinator