Pat Walker Health Center Earns AAAHC Accreditation and CLIA Certification

PWHC

Brady Williams, medical technologist (left), proudly holds the CLIA certificate, while AJ Olsen, director of medical services (right), proudly displays the AAAHC accreditation certificate, reflecting their shared commitment to excellence in healthcare standards.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Medical Services at Pat Walker Health Center has once again earned accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and has also received certification from the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).

These achievements reaffirm Medical Services’ dedication to providing high-quality, patient-centered care and ensuring safe, reliable health and laboratory services for University of Arkansas students, faculty and staff.

AAAHC ACCREDITATION: COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Achieving AAAHC accreditation signifies that Medical Services at PWHC has met rigorous, nationally recognized standards for ambulatory health care services. With more than 6,600 accredited organizations across the U.S., AAAHC accreditation is a mark of excellence that distinguishes PWHC from other outpatient facilities.

For students, faculty, and staff, this accreditation ensures they have access to a health center that prioritizes patient safety, quality improvement, and best practices in health care. The accreditation process includes an extensive self-assessment and an on-site survey conducted by expert surveyors—physicians, nurses, and administrators actively engaged in ambulatory care. This peer-based, educational approach helps the health center continuously improve its services to meet the evolving health care needs of the university community.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our dedicated professionals whose exceptional quality of care has made this achievement possible, surpassing benchmarks and national standards," said AJ Olsen, director of medical services at PWHC. “This three-year accreditation term from AAAHC is the highest honor, and it assures our U of A community that our team remains committed to prioritizing patient safety and delivering high-quality healthcare.”

CLIA CERTIFICATION: ENSURING HIGH STANDARDS IN LABORATORY TESTING

In addition to AAAHC accreditation, the PWHC laboratory has once again earned Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification. This federal certification, renewed every two years, ensures that all laboratory testing at the health center meets stringent quality standards for accurate diagnoses and effective patient care.

Administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the CLIA program provides regulatory oversight for clinical laboratories nationwide, focusing on maintaining testing integrity to support sound medical decision-making. The health center’s laboratory is classified as moderately complex, requiring advanced training and rigorous regulatory compliance.

“I am proud of our laboratory team’s dedication and commitment to meeting CLIA standards and delivering high-quality, comprehensive services to our patients on the U of A campus,” said Roxanna Conley, laboratory manager at PWHC.

For the university community, this certification reinforces trust in the laboratory services available for routine screenings, diagnostic tests, and urgent health needs. It ensures timely, precise test results, contributing to improved health outcomes and more informed medical decisions.

By maintaining both AAAHC accreditation and CLIA certification, Medical Services at PWHC remains a trusted healthcare provider on campus, offering the highest level of medical and laboratory services to support the well-being of the entire U of A community.

For more information about Medical Services at PWHC and the comprehensive health services available, visit health.uark.edu