PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: July 27, 2026

Ward Dean, M.D. (“we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Practice”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit warddeanmd.com, submit a form, contact our office, or communicate with us by text message.

Information We Collect

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide, including:

• Your name, telephone number, email address, and mailing address.
• Appointment-request and scheduling information.
• Information submitted through contact forms or other website forms.
• Communications you send to us by email, telephone, or text message.
• Billing or payment-related information when applicable.
• Any other information you choose to provide.

Please do not submit highly sensitive medical information through a general website contact form unless the form is specifically identified as a secure communication method.

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically, such as your Internet Protocol address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring website, pages viewed, and the dates and times of your visits.

This information may be collected through cookies, analytics tools, server logs, and similar technologies.

How We Use Information

We may use collected information to:

• Respond to questions and requests.
• Schedule, confirm, and manage appointments.
• Provide requested services and patient support.
• Send appointment reminders and practice-related communications.
• Process billing or payment-related matters.
• Operate, maintain, secure, and improve our website.
• Comply with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations.
• Prevent fraud, misuse, or security threats.

SMS and Mobile Information

If you provide your mobile telephone number and affirmatively opt in, we may send you text messages related to appointments, scheduling, practice updates, billing, customer service, and services you have requested.

• Message frequency may vary.
• Message and data rates may apply.
• Reply STOP to opt out.
• Reply HELP for assistance.

Mobile information will not be sold, rented, or shared with third parties or affiliates for promotional or marketing purposes. Information may be shared with service providers only as necessary to deliver text messages, maintain our communications systems, or support the services you requested.

Text-message consent and opt-in data will not be shared with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

Cookies and Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, remember preferences, measure traffic, understand how visitors use the site, and improve performance.

You can adjust your browser settings to refuse or delete cookies. Some portions of the website may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in limited circumstances, including:

• With vendors and service providers that help us operate our website, communications, scheduling, hosting, analytics, or business systems.
• When required by law, subpoena, court order, or governmental request.
• To protect the rights, safety, security, or property of the Practice, our patients, or others.
• In connection with a merger, sale, transfer, or reorganization of the Practice, subject to applicable law.

Service providers are permitted to use information only as necessary to perform services on our behalf.

Health Information and HIPAA

Certain health information maintained by the Practice may be protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) and other applicable laws.

This website Privacy Policy is separate from any Notice of Privacy Practices that may apply to protected health information maintained by the Practice. Where HIPAA applies, our Notice of Privacy Practices governs how protected health information may be used and disclosed.

Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards intended to protect information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure. However, no website, internet transmission, email, or electronic-storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy, security, or content practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

Children’s Privacy

This website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 through the website without appropriate authorization. If you believe a child has provided personal information through this website, please contact us.

Your Choices

You may:

• Opt out of text messages by replying STOP.
• Unsubscribe from nonessential email communications by using the unsubscribe link when one is provided.
• Adjust browser settings to manage cookies.
• Contact us to request that we update or correct information you previously provided, subject to applicable legal and record-retention requirements.

Retention of Information

We may retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide services, maintain business and medical records, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and protect the Practice.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes become effective when posted on this page. The effective date at the top of the policy indicates when it was most recently revised.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact:

Ward Dean, M.D.
6708 Plantation Road, Suite C-1
Pensacola, Florida 32504
Phone: (850) 912-6981
Email: office@warddeanmd.com