Legal
Cookie Policy
This page explains what cookies are, which ones we use on the Sentara website, and how you can manage your preferences. We aim to keep this straightforward — no jargon, just plain explanations.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website saves to your device (computer, phone, or tablet) when you visit it. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to provide basic reporting information to site owners.
Cookies do not give us access to your device and do not contain personal information by themselves. They simply help a website recognise your browser and remember certain settings or actions from a previous visit.
Cookies We Use
The Sentara website uses a small number of cookies, grouped into the following categories:
Essential Cookies
Always ActiveThese cookies are necessary for the website to function. They cannot be switched off. They include cookies that record your cookie consent preferences so we do not ask you again on each visit.
Examples: consent record, session security. Duration: up to 12 months.
Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website — which pages are visited most and whether visitors encounter any errors. The data is aggregated and not used to identify individuals.
Provider: Google Analytics. Duration: up to 2 years.
Marketing Cookies
These cookies are used to track visitors across websites and may be used to display relevant information about Sentara on other platforms. Disabling them does not affect your ability to use this website.
Providers: advertising networks. Duration: up to 90 days.
Preference Cookies
These cookies remember choices you have made, such as language or display settings, so you do not need to reset them on each visit.
Duration: up to 12 months.
Your Cookie Preferences
Use the toggles above to adjust your preferences, then save below. Changes take effect immediately and are stored in your browser.
Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are required for basic site functionality. Your preferences are stored locally on your device and are not shared with third parties.
Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on the Sentara website are set by third-party services rather than by Sentara directly. These may include:
- Google Analytics — used to gather aggregated usage statistics. Governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
- Advertising networks — may set cookies if marketing cookies are accepted, to help us understand which channels visitors come from.
We do not have direct control over the cookies set by these third parties. We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of any third-party services you are concerned about.
Cookie Duration
- Session cookies — exist only while your browser is open. They are deleted automatically when you close your browser tab or window.
- Persistent cookies — remain on your device for a set period after you close your browser. The duration varies by cookie type, as noted in the categories above. You can delete persistent cookies through your browser settings at any time.
Managing Cookies in Your Browser
You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Instructions for common browsers are below. Note that blocking all cookies may affect the functionality of some websites.
Google Chrome
1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right.
2. Go to Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data.
3. Choose your preferred cookie setting, or use See all cookies and site data to delete specific cookies.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Open Firefox and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right.
2. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security.
3. Under Cookies and Site Data, choose your settings or click Clear Data to remove stored cookies.
Safari
1. Open Safari and go to Preferences → Privacy (macOS) or Settings → Safari → Privacy (iOS).
2. Use Block all cookies to prevent cookies, or Manage Website Data to delete specific entries.
Microsoft Edge
1. Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right.
2. Go to Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies and site data.
3. Toggle cookie blocking or click See all cookies and site data to manage specific entries.
Your Rights
- Right to withdraw consent: You can change or withdraw your cookie preferences at any time using the controls on this page. Changes take effect immediately.
- Right to access information: You can ask us what cookie-related data we hold by contacting us at [email protected].
- Effect of disabling cookies: Disabling optional cookies will not prevent you from using this website. However, some features may work differently if preference cookies are turned off.
If you have questions about how Sentara handles cookies or personal data, please contact us at [email protected].