The rankings are based on UW-Madison students’ answers to the  survey question “How do you rate your school’s campus health services?” The publication’s survey asked 160,000 students at 388 institutions to rate their schools on various topics, including academics, administration, student body, and themselves.

“This recognition reflects the commitment of UHS providers and staff to ensure our campus community is a healthy and welcoming space for everyone. I’m proud of our dedication to support all facets of student health and wellbeing and to be a place on campus where students can turn to for care and support,” says Jake Baggott, Associate Vice Chancellor, Health & Wellbeing and Executive Director of University Health Services.

During the 2021-2022 fiscal year, UHS Medical and Mental Health Services conducted more than 83,000 patient/client visits in addition to 153,857 COVID-19 test and vaccination appointments. Medical visits increased by 40 percent from the previous year and Mental Health Services saw 6,751 unique patients.

“Looking ahead, UHS is excited to continue our commitment to providing access to high-quality health care and addressing issues of equity, safety, and wellbeing in integrated and innovative ways with our our partners in Rec Well, Student Affairs, and across the UW-Madison campus,” adds Baggott.

UHS was previously recognized by Princeton Review as the best college health service in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

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.

This fall, University Health Services (UHS), in partnership with VaxPro, administered 19, 207 flu shots to students and employees, a four percent increase in flu shot immunizations from 2020.

“I’m very proud that so many students and employees received their annual flu shot in an effort to help keep our campus community healthy,” says Dr. Aruna Josyula, UHS director of Medical Services. “Now, more than ever, vaccines are an important tool for us to help mitigate the spread of communicable diseases.”

UHS hosted more than 20 vaccine clinics from September to December in locations across campus.

The Alana’s Foundation was founded in 2009 in memory of Alana Yaksich, who died of influenza in 2003 at the age of 5. Alana’s Foundation aims to prevent deaths caused by influenza.

“The Alana Yaksich National College/University Flu Vaccination Challenge is an important tool to help raise flu vaccination rates among the 18 to 25-year-old population, who typically have one of the lowest vaccination rates,” says Zachary Yaksich, Alana’s father.  “Consistent participation from national universities, like the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is critical for the success of the competition as well as increasing awareness and immunization rates among the vulnerable college population.”