MDgrad.com Policy

Policies

A. Privacy Policy

This privacy policy describes the information that MDgrad.com, Inc. ("MDgrad," "we," or "us") collects about visitors ("you") to this website, MDgrad.com (the "Site"), how we use that information and how we protect that information. It also discusses certain choices you have regarding your personally identifiable information. By using this Website, you consent to the following terms. As they may be amended from time to time, your continued use of this Website will be subject to our then-current privacy policy. Once you leave the Site other privacy policies apply. We do not endorse privacy policies on any other site so please read privacy policies of any other sites you visit.

1. Personal Information

When you register for the Site or the online forum within the Site, the Call Room (the "Forum"), you provide personal information that we can use to generate accounts specific to you and that can be used to identify or contact you ("Personal Information"). Registration for the Site and the Forum are separate, and separate rules apply to use and protection of the Personal Information you give when you create each account. By providing us with information about yourself you agree to the use of your Personal Information in accordance with the Privacy Policy of this Site. We collect and store your Personal Information. You may always choose not to provide the information we request. However, you may then be unable to take advantage of the features and services we offer on this Site.

Rules for the Personal Information from Site registration

a) Creating a personalized account. We use Personal Information including your specialty, subspecialty, regional location and year in training to create a personalized account. This helps us provide content that we believe may be of interest to you and if you choose to participate in interactive areas, allow others to identify or contact you.

b) Third Parties. We will not give or share Personal Information to other companies or organizations without your prior approval. However any information that you provide about yourself to third parties is up to you, and you agree to do so at your own risk and be solely liable for any consequences.

c) Disclosure of Personal Information for special circumstances. We may release Personal Information to third parties (1) when required to by law, or (2) in extenuating circumstances such as threats to you or others.

d) In the case of company merger or acquisition. MDgrad may share Personal Information with companies in which MDgrad has merger or acquisition transactions.

e) Outside Information and Verification. We may choose to verify Personal Information by contacting your residency or asking you to give further information verifying your status as an active medical trainee or professional.

Rules for Personal Information from Forum registration

a) Creating a personalized account. A username, password, and email are required to establish an account in the Forum. Other Personal Information is voluntary. With the exception of your password, your Personal Information can be publicly viewable. When creating a username it is recommended that you not use your real name or identity and you are not permitted to use anyone else’s name or identity. You should always exercise judgment when revealing any Personal Information about yourself on online forums. Any Personal Information that you provide for the Forum is up to you, and you agree to do so at your own risk and be solely liable for any consequences.

b) Third Parties. We will not give or share Personal Information to other companies or organizations without your prior approval. However any information that you provide about yourself is at your own risk and be you are solely liable for any consequences.

d) In the case of company merger or acquisition. MDgrad may share Personal Information with companies in which MDgrad has merger or acquisition transactions.

2. Other Information

We may also collect information from surveys or questions, which you voluntarily answer. The aggregate results with personal identifiers removed can be made available on the Site, or sometimes shared with third parties. We may also collect information on your use of the Site or the Forum. This information can be used internally or shared with third parties to better understand what features are of value and to help modify our or third party offerings.

a) Aggregate information. We may collect information on groups of users to provide us with information on how certain groups are accessing and using the Site. This information, with personal identifiers removed, may be shared with other companies or organizations.

b) You may visit this Site anonymously. We collect your Internet Protocol address, but this information generally does not reveal your identity. The data that we regularly collect about visitors to this Site (e.g., browser type, pages accessed, duration of visit, etc.) does not enable us to identify you. We use "cookies," small files that are sent to your browser and stored on your hard drive, to identify you as a unique user on this Site. Our use of cookies is explained in more detail below. We collect Personal Information about you only if you voluntarily provide it to us by requesting information, products or services from us or by registering with us as a member.

3. Security

a) External

You are responsible for maintaining the security of User ID, Username, Password and your accounts. You should always log off when finished with any session to avoid unauthorized use of your account and access to you personal information.

b) Internal

(i) For the Site. MDgrad will make a commercially reasonable effort to keep your Personal Information provided on registration for the Site from loss, or misuse by others. Please note that MDgrad does not use encryption technology to transfer data. You should be aware that there is always a risk involving information storage and retrieval over the Internet.

(ii) For the Forum. Because Personal Information that you provide upon registration for the Forum, with the exception of your password, can be publicly viewable, any Personal Information that you provide for the Forum is up to you, and you agree to do so at your own risk and be solely liable for any consequences.

4. Use of Member Search (excluding the Call Room online forum*)

If you do not want other members of MDgrad to find or contact you through MDgrad Member Search uncheck the box marked “Allow other MDgrad members and classmates find me online”.

If, by checking the box marked “Allow other MDgrad members and classmates find me online” on registration, you choose to participate in the Member Search, other members may be able to find you on The Site by your medical school attended and year of graduation.- Results of the search will show first name and last initial.

If you choose to participate, you will have the option of refusing to view messages sent by any individual. In addition you will have the option of permanently blocking that individual from sending you further transmissions. Any further information you provide about yourself to other members through The Site is up to you and you agree to hold full liability for any consequences of your transmissions. For details read MDgrad's Web Site Access License and Terms of Use Agreement, available here.

* Note - The Member Search is separate from the search functions and communications of the Call Room online forum where with exception of your password, your Personal Information can be publicly viewable.

5. Cookies

Cookies are pieces of information placed on the hard drive of the computer you are using that allows for personalization of content, use of applications and navigation on the Site. Cookies also allow us to analyze your use of the Site, which can be used to improve Site features and content.

6. Third Party Service Providers.

MDgrad may from time to time engage others to provide services to MDgrad, to you and to other visitors to this Site. For example, MDgrad may engage other companies to host, operate and maintain this Site, analyze data, provide assistance with marketing and newsletters, perform merchant services, perform inventories or assessments and provide other services. MDgrad will give them access to your personally identifiable information to the extent necessary to do their jobs. MDgrad cannot guaranty that those companies will protect your personally identifiable information to the same extent described in this privacy policy.

7. Email.

Periodically, we may use the information you provide to us to notify you of announcements or offerings that we feel may be of interest to you. This may include announcements or offerings from other businesses. When this is done, MDgrad will not give that business your email address or name. MDgrad may also provide free periodic newsletters to those who are interested in receiving them. If you would rather not receive these announcements and/or newsletters, you can request to be excluded from these announcements by following the instructions on the email.

B. Editorial Policies

MDgrad content can be created by selected content providers, paid sponsors or by individuals that contribute articles or comments.

Community forums and chat rooms allow expression of ideas and content within these areas are not reviewed or censored by MDgrad.

Opinions expressed in articles or correspondence in or through the site are independent of MDgrad and MDgrad does not in any way endorse them or guarantee their accuracy or timeliness.
MDgrad does not guarantee the contributing individual's claimed credentialing or background.
MDgrad will have sole discretion for determining content that will be accepted and displayed on our site.

C. Advertising Policy

As with most medical sites on the Internet, MDgrad uses advertising and sponsorships as a source of revenue. In these relationships MDgrad endeavors to observe the following principles.

We may obtain revenue from third parties for advertising, commission on sales and purchases and links to other web sites.
We request any authors or contributors of MDgrad article content to disclose any affiliation or financial interests that may affect the content.
MDgrad does not in any way endorse or recommend advertised product(s) or the company(s) that manufacture them
Advertising on MDgrad will comply with the laws of the United States of America, the country in which MDgrad is based.