SWT Student Health Center achieves national accreditation

SAN MARCOS — The Southwest Texas State University Student Health Center has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

Status as an accredited organization means that the SWT Student Health Center has passed a series of rigorous and nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by the AAAHC. Only five other Student Health Centers in the state of Texas have achieved accreditation by AAAHC.

The American College Health Association states that “accreditation has been seen as the highest form of public recognition a health care service can receive for the quality of care it provides.”

“Achieving accreditation demonstrates the commitment of the SWT Student Health Center to providing its patients with the highest quality health care,” said Emilio Carranco, M.D., director of the Student Health Center. “While the organization is extremely proud of this accomplishment, it remains focused on continuous quality improvement. I believe that SWT has one of the best Student Health Centers in the state and accreditation helps to validate that claim.”

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by AAAHC undergo an extensive on-site, peer-based survey of its facilities and services. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation and not all undergoing the on-site survey are granted accreditation. The SWT Student Health Center had its on-site survey in January 2003 and was awarded a three-year accreditation from AAAHC, the highest award possible.

There will be a formal ceremony celebrating the SWT Student Health Center’s achievement on Wednesday, April 23, at 8 a.m. in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom. Speakers will include Carranco and James Studer, vice resident for student affairs. Members of the campus and local community are invited to attend. The SWT Student Health Center’s certificate of accreditation will be unveiled at that time.

The SWT Student Health Center has been providing health care to Southwest Texas State University students for more than 50 years. The Student Health Center provides primary care, women’s health, mental health and health education services. The Student Health Center is comprised of 33 full-time professionals, including five physicians and two nurse practitioners. The SWT Student Health Center has on-site laboratory, x-ray and pharmacy services. During the past year, the Student Health Center had over 45,000 patient contacts. The SWT Student Health Center is currently located in Suite 150 of the Health Science Center. Next year, it will move to a new, state-of-the-art facility, a 25,000 square foot building located at the corner of Sessom Drive and Tomas Rivera Drive.