Last Updated: June 2026
Forest Lawn Medical Clinic (“the Clinic”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our patients, staff, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal and health information in compliance with Alberta’s privacy legislation.
1. What Information We Collect & How We Use It
Website Users
- Cookies & Analytics: We use Google Ads to help people find our clinic online. When you click on one of our advertisements, Google may use standard automated tracking features (such as temporary cookies or ad-click identifiers) to measure the effectiveness of our campaigns and ensure our website functions correctly. This data is technical, automated, and aggregated by Google; it does not identify you personally to us. You can manage your ad preferences or opt out of personalized tracking directly through your Google Account settings or via your web browser.
Appointment Requests & Online Portals:
- Website Inquiry Forms: If you use the intake or contact forms on our public website to request an appointment or send an inquiry, we collect basic contact information (such as your name, email address, and phone number) so our clinic staff can contact you to manage your scheduling. Please do not submit highly sensitive medical details or your Alberta Health Care number through our general website contact forms.
- Secure Patient Portal (Ava Connect): Active patients of our clinic may choose to register for our secure online portal, Ava Connect, which is hosted and managed by our electronic medical records provider, Ava Industries Inc. The portal is fully encrypted and segregated from our public website. When you use Ava Connect to view records, message the clinic, or manage bookings directly, your data is handled securely under Ava’s protected infrastructure in compliance with provincial privacy legislation. Portal access requires identity verification and setup directly with our clinic staff.
Clinic Patients
- Registration Data: We collect your contact information, date of birth, and provincial health card number to administer your patient file and handle billing with Alberta Health.
- Personal Health Information (PHI): We collect your medical history, symptoms, diagnoses, test results, and treatment plans. We only collect the health information necessary to provide you with safe, comprehensive medical care.
2. Why We Use Your Information
We use your personal and health information to:
- Provide medical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Coordinate care with external healthcare providers (e.g., specialists, laboratories, or diagnostic imaging centres).
- Process billing with Alberta Health and private insurance providers.
- Send appointment reminders via text or email.
- Maintain accurate medical records as required by provincial law.
3. Sharing Your Information
We do not sell or rent your information to third parties. Your information is only shared under the following circumstances:
- Circle of Care: Sharing relevant medical data with specialists, pharmacies, Primary Care Networks (PCNs), or hospitals involved directly in your treatment.
- Trusted Service Providers: Using secure technology vendors (such as our Electronic Medical Record provider and online booking platform) that are legally bound to protect your data to the same standards we do.
- Legal Obligations: If required by law, court order, or in a critical medical emergency where an individual’s life or safety is threatened.
4. Data Storage and Retention
- Location: All patient files and personal health information are securely stored within our Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system on encrypted servers located within Canada.
- Medical Record Retention (Alberta Standards): In accordance with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) standards of practice, patient records are retained securely to ensure continuity of care and legal compliance.
- Adult Patients: Medical records are retained for a minimum of ten (10) years from the date of the last record entry.
- Minor Patients: Medical records for minors are retained for a minimum of ten (10) years after the patient reaches, or would have reached, the age of majority (18 in Alberta).
5. How We Protect Your Data
We employ strict physical, administrative, and technological safeguards to protect your privacy:
- Authorized access is restricted strictly to clinic staff and physicians who require the data to perform their duties.
- All digital systems require secure, audited user logins.
- Our third-party technology vendors are vetted to ensure complete compliance with Alberta’s Health Information Act.
6. Your Rights
Under Alberta law, you have the right to:
- Request access to your personal health records.
- Request corrections to inaccurate personal contact details.
- Ask questions or express concerns about how your data is handled.
If you wish to request a copy of your records, please note that we process all requests within 30 days, and standard administrative fees may apply as permitted by provincial guidelines.
Contact Our Privacy Officer
For any questions, updates to your information, or privacy concerns, please contact our clinic manager at:
Email: info@forestlawnmedical.com
Address: Forest Lawn Medical Clinic, Calgary, AB
If your concerns are not resolved, you have the right to contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (OIPC).