Information Collection and Use
The Wisconsin Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (WAOPS) understands how important your privacy and safety are to you. In an effort to enable you to protect the privacy and security of your visits to this website, this privacy policy explains what information the WAOPS intends to accumulate, and how the WAOPS intends to collect, protect, and use this information.

By using the WAOPS site (www.waops.org), you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy, so please read through it carefully. If you do not agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy, please exit this site immediately.

The WAOPS is the sole owner of the information collected on Waops.org. We will not sell, share, or rent this information to others in ways different from what is disclosed in this statement.

Personal Information Collection and Use
“Personally Identifiable Information” (PII) refers to any information that identifies or can be used to identify or contact the person. This includes, but is not limited to, name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, IP address, and similar data.

The WAOPS does not collect PII about you except when you provide the information on a voluntary basis. The WAOPS collects the PII that you provide. The WAOPS may use the PII provided by you to conduct research, to improve this site, and to provide services to you. The WAOPS will disclose your PII to third parties when necessary for the provision of services to you, for the protection of others, and when required by law.

Aggregate information is information in summary form that does not contain PII. The WAOPS uses and allows third parties to use aggregate information to aid in the development or implementation of programs, products and services.

Credit Card Account Information
The WAOPS does not disclose credit card account information provided by its members or other users. When members and other users choose to pay using their credit cards, the WAOPS submits the information needed to obtain payment to the appropriate clearinghouse.

Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user's hard drive which allows organizations to collect non-PII about the user’s use of a site and which is stored on the user’s computer. Once the user closes the browser they are using to navigate the site most cookies simply close. However, if the user visits the site again, cookies help it “remember” the visitor. The password-protected sections of Waops.org utilize cookies to remember members and other users and their preferences. This allows visitors to quickly access their most-visited areas of the site. However, users may block these cookies and still use Waops.org.

IP Addresses
The WAOPS uses IP addresses (i.e., information that identifies the location of computers or networks on the Internet that are accessing this website) to analyze trends, administer the site, track a user’s movements through the site, and gather broad information for aggregate use. IP addresses are not linked to PII.

Links and Suggested Resources
Waops.org contains links to other sites. The WAOPS is not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites. This Privacy Policy applies solely to Waops.org. Should you follow a link to another site, you are encouraged to review the privacy policy applicable to that website.

Surveys
From time-to-time you may see a survey on Waops.org. Participation in these surveys is completely voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose this information.

WAOPS Physician Data Policy
The WAOPS collects data on osteopathic medical students and osteopathic physicians, including those who are not WAOPS members. Each physician’s record includes demographic information, osteopathic medical school, postgraduate information and current practice information. Demographic information may include date of birth, gender, mailing addresses (home and/or office) and other contact information. Current practice information includes self-identified specialty and board certification.

While the WAOPS obtains most physician information directly from the primary source, it also receives demographic information from osteopathic medical schools and other osteopathic organizations. This data is closely guarded and not shared with outside organizations except in the aggregate. Some of the information in the WAOPS member database is used to compile the online WAOPS directory. Physicians are allowed to exclude their information from the directory, special publications or mailing/e-mail lists.

The WAOPS also collects data on those who are not osteopathic physicians, but who are members of the WAOPS, such as student members, retired members, associate members, and other members.

Security
The WAOPS takes every precaution to protect our information. We use SSL encryption to protect information online. We also do everything in our power to protect our database off-line. All information is restricted in our offices. Employees must use password-protected screens when they enter the database. The server we store personally identifiable information on is kept in a secure environment. We obtain educational information only from primary sources and the ability to change any information in the master database is restricted.

To protect their privacy physicians may direct the WAOPS to:

• Exclude them from the online WAOPS directory, including the members-only section
• Exclude them from distribution of special publications, including those of the WAOPS’s e-newsletter that is electronically mailed (e-mailed)
• Exclude them from promotional mailings for products or educational events
• Not release their contact information to affiliates or licensees
• Not release individual physician-provided information gathered through surveys or other methods to licensees or other osteopathic organizations.

Notification of Changes
In the future, the WAOPS may make changes to this Privacy Policy. When we make changes or additions to our Privacy Policy, we will post the date of the update within the policy itself. For suggestions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please e-mail the WAOPS at iwaops@badagerbay.co or call the phone number listed on the Contact Us page.