The accreditation process is marked by an on-site evaluation over the course of two days that includes a review of records and meetings with providers, staff, and students to determine whether UHS meets more than 150 standards established by AAAHC. Ahead of the on-site evaluation, UHS staff from across the organization work to review policies and procedures, assess quality improvement projects, and ensure rigorous health, safety, and education standards are met. 

After clinical observations and interviews with staff, one accreditor commented that the UHS clinic was well organized and neat. Further, UHS received positive feedback that our staff are really “sharp,” which the accreditor noted as a reflection of good leadership and coaching. 

“Reaccreditation is a rigorous process,” said UHS Executive Director Jake Baggott. “Our team works hard to prepare for the evaluation, and I’m immensely proud of our organization’s commitment to excellence in care.” 

One accreditor shared the parting words that they would feel comfortable having their child come to UHS to seek care. This heartfelt feedback, alongside a successful reaccreditation process, affirms our collective efforts to promote, protect, and improve student health and wellbeing. 

The 2025 accreditation process was led by Luke Thompson, Associate Director of Health Information Management and Privacy. UHS will next participate in reaccreditation in 2028. 

University Health Services (UHS), the UW-Madison campus health center, received a full three-year reaccreditation as an ambulatory health care center by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). UHS has been continually accredited by AAAHC since 1983.

Accreditation is a voluntary process that happens every three years. This year’s in-person survey was delayed from 2021 due to the pandemic. Preparation for the on-site evaluation begins more than one year in advance and involves reviewing policies and procedures, assessing quality improvement projects, and working with every UHS unit to ensure rigorous health, safety, and education standards are met.

AAAHC surveyors, who are health care professionals at other organizations around the country, spent two days at UHS this spring evaluating clinical spaces, reviewing records, and meeting with providers, staff, and students to determine if UHS was meeting more than 150 standards established by AAAHC.

“Re-accreditation is a significant achievement for our entire organization. I’m grateful to all UHS employees for their commitment to providing exemplary service and care to our students daily,” says Jake Baggott, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Executive Director of UHS.

In their summary report, AAAHC stated that UHS demonstrated overall ‘substantial compliance’ with all of the AAAHC standards and achieved exemplary levels of organizational performance and quality amidst fighting a pandemic for two years.’

UHS improved compliance levels on all standards. One surveyor noted that “I have not been to an organization that has been this well prepared or hospitable…” and “…There’s a culture of quality here.”

“I’m impressed by the thorough and rigorous preparation by the entire UHS team to make this survey successful, knowing that just a quarter of college health centers pursue the voluntary accreditation at all,” says Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. “This accomplishment, achieved during a stressful and uncertain period for our staff both professionally and personally during the pandemic, is an affirmation of the high standard of care and commitment UHS has for our students.”

The most recent accreditation process was led by Courtney Blomme, Associate Director of Population Health and Tami Morin, the former Director of Nursing who retired from UW-Madison in April. UHS will next participate in the accreditation process in 2024.