ANNOUNCEMENTS

SHC achieved accreditation by the AAAHC

The Sam Houston State University Health Center has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Care (AAAHC) according to Keith Lott, Director of the Health Center. Approximately three years after deciding to pursue accreditation, the Health Center scheduled an on-site survey that was conducted this September. During the survey process, the department's performance in 24 broad categories including Quality of Care, Quality Improvement, and Administration were measured against rigorous and nationally recognized standards. On January 5, 2007, the Health Center was notified that it was awarded the highest degree of accreditation for a three year term.

"This achievement is an important milestone in the growth of our department that has taken place over the past six years. Such an accomplishment is not the result of one person's efforts or simplistic tasks completed over a short period of time. This accomplishment is a result of a sustained group effort effecting significant improvement in our department's operation. The favorable comparison of our departmental operations against the rigorous standards of a nationally recognized entity provides formal confirmation that our department has achieved excellence. Accreditation is a tangible indicator of how far we have come over the past six years," said Lott.

Upon notifying the Health Center of the accreditation decision, Roy Grekin, MD, the Accreditation Association President, commented, "Achieving accreditation demands a high level of dedication and effort. The SHSU Student Health Center is to be commended for this accomplishment."

Sam Houston State University joins the elite company of only four other public universities in Texas that have accredited health centers. Those universities include Texas A&M University, Texas State University, University of Texas, and University of Texas-Pan American . More information regarding accreditation and AAAHC can be found at www.aaahc.org.