Effective Date: May 20, 2025

This Privacy Policy describes how steventhorntonmd.com (the “Site”) collects, uses, and protects the information you provide when you visit and interact with our Site. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring a safe online experience.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to understand how you use our Site and to provide you with relevant content and services. The types of information we collect include:

  • Analytics Data: We use analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) to collect non-personally identifiable information about your visit, including:
    • Your IP address (anonymized where possible)
    • Browser type and operating system
    • Referring pages and exit pages
    • Date and time of visit
    • Pages viewed and time spent on pages
    • Clickstream data This data helps us analyze website traffic, understand user behavior, and improve our Site’s performance and content.
  • Cookies: Like many websites, we use “cookies” to enhance your experience. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that allow us to remember your preferences and tailor your experience. These cookies may be session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) or persistent cookies (which remain on your device until deleted). You can set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies, or to alert you when websites set or access cookies. If you disable or refuse cookies, please note that some parts of this Site may become inaccessible or not function properly.
  • Information You Voluntarily Provide (Contact Forms): When you use our contact forms, we collect information you voluntarily provide, which includes:
    • Your Name
    • Your Email Address We use this information solely to respond to your inquiries and communicate with you regarding your message.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • To operate, maintain, and improve our Site and its functionality.
  • To analyze user behavior and trends to enhance the user experience.
  • To respond to your inquiries and communicate with you via the contact forms.
  • To monitor and protect the security of our Site.

3. Information We DO NOT Collect or Store (HIPAA Compliance)

Please be advised that steventhorntonmd.com is a public website and is NOT intended for the transmission or storage of sensitive medical or personal health information (PHI) protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

  • We do not solicit, collect, or store any personal health information (PHI) or other sensitive medical information through this website.
  • Do not submit any personal medical information, health conditions, medical history, or other Protected Health Information (PHI) via our contact forms or any other communication method on this Site.
  • Any such information submitted through our contact forms or other non-secure channels on this Site may not be secure and will be immediately deleted upon discovery without review.
  • For any medical inquiries, appointments, or to discuss your personal health information, please contact our office directly via phone or through secure patient portals or communication methods provided by our medical practice.

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personally identifiable information to outside parties. We may share non-personally identifiable analytics data with third-party service providers (e.g., Google Analytics) to help us analyze website usage and improve our services. These third parties are obligated to keep this information confidential.

We may also disclose your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others’ rights, property, or safety.

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you enter, submit, or access your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. Therefore, while we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

6. Third-Party Links

Occasionally, at our discretion, we may include or offer third-party products or services on our website. These third-party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

7. Children’s Privacy

Our Site is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected Personal Information from a child under age 13 without verification of parental consent, we take steps to remove that information from our servers.

8. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page with an updated “Effective Date.” You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

9. Your Consent

By using our Site, you consent to our Privacy Policy.

10. Contacting Us

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, you may contact us.