UHS receives accreditation from JCAHO

U niversity Health Service has received Accreditation with Commendation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations on its first-ever JCAHO survey. This is the highest level of accreditation awarded by JCAHO, the nation's oldest and largest accrediting body for health care.

"Receiving Accreditation with Commendation is a significant achievement, one that recognizes exemplary performance by UHS," said Dennis O'Leary, JCAHO president. "The organization should be commended for its commitment to providing quality care to the people in its community."

"It's rare for an organization to receive commendation along with accreditation on its first survey. This is quite an achievement," said Nancee Bender, a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Nursing and a former head of JCAHO ambulatory care accreditation services. Bender aided UHS in preparation for the April survey. "Everyone at UHS goes the extra mile on a daily basis to provide the best possible health care to its patients. Receiving Accreditation with Commendation is just the icing on the cake."

UHS provides primary care, occupational health, and health education services to University students, faculty, employees and their families, alumni, and volunteers. Ralph Manchester, associate professor of medicine, has served as the director of UHS since 1994.

Formed in 1951, JCAHO is dedicated to improving the quality of the nation's health care through voluntary accreditation.