DURHAM, N.H. - University of New Hampshire Health Services was recently awarded national accreditation for the fourth consecutive time by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

"Health Services participates in the voluntary AAAHC accreditation process as a way of ensuring that we adhere to the highest standards of quality possible while providing health care to UNH's students, staff and faculty," said Kevin Charles, assistant vice president for Student and Academic Services and executive director of Health Services. "I am very pleased and proud to know that, once again, we have been awarded the maximum three-year term of accreditation. This is a testament to the outstanding work done every day by Health Services staff."

AAAHC accreditation is specifically for organizations providing medical or diagnostic services in settings where overnight stays are not required, including college health centers, group medical and dental practices and community health centers. Dr. Kanitta Charoensiri, director of the Schiffert Health Center at Virginia Tech, visited UNH for AAAHC in December to assess Health Services' programs and services. "I was very impressed with the staff of the health center and the services provided. The students at UNH are very fortunate to have such exceptional people caring for them."

UNH Health Services, which averages more than 20,000 visits a year from students, staff and faculty, is a health and wellness center. In support of the university's academic mission, it is committed to promoting, maintaining and improving the health and well-being of the university community. Health Services also has primary responsibility for addressing public health issues impacting the UNH community. The staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, laboratory and radiologic technologists, wellness educators/counselors, nutritionists, pharmacists, licensed massage therapists and administrative staff. Services provided include primary medical care, women's health, laboratory, radiology and pharmacy, and health and wellness services on a wide variety of health topics including nutrition, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, sexuality, chronic and acute illnesses, emotional and spiritual health, stress management and wellness. 

"I am pleased that Health Services has been nationally recognized for their outstanding work once again," said Mark Rubinstein, UNH vice president for student and academic services. "The quality of health care available to our students is excellent, and their work is critical to supporting student success and creating a healthier campus for the entire UNH community."

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling more than 12,200 undergraduate and 2,200 graduate students.

For more information on AAAHC, go to www.aaahc.org.