For the fourth consecutive time, Penn State's University Health Services (UHS) has received official recognition from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

Ellen Nagy, UHS marketing manager, said the AAAHC is an outpatient health care organization that does accreditation for non-hospital health care settings.

"[The accreditation] means we met some pretty strict requirements and standards that this national accrediting organization has," she said.

In a press release, Penn State President Graham Spanier commended UHS for its recent accreditation.

"National accreditation underscores our long-standing commitment to providing the highest possible levels of quality health care to Penn State students," he wrote in the release. "We are pleased and proud to have our efforts recognized with this accreditation."

Dr. Margaret Spear, UHS director, said UHS invites surveyors from the AAAHC to evaluate its services.

"Accreditation is a voluntary process," she said. "We choose to do it because we think it is valuable in terms of helping us meet fairly high standards."

Spear said that the accreditation provides some major benefits for UHS.

"It is a statement to our community that we've been evaluated by an objective outside agency and have met the highest standards of ambulatory care practice," she said.

Spear said the AAAHC could issue a three-year accreditation, one-year accreditation, defer a decision or not issue anything at all.

"The highest award they give is three-year, which is what we received," she said.

Nagy said the accreditation proves that UHS is a reliable health care provider for students.

"It's a sign for parents and students and other people with an interest in Penn State that we have made the decision to reach high standards," she said.

Kirstin Chidester (junior-advertising) said the recent accreditation will have a positive effect on students.

"Before, students would go home to their family doctors," she said. "Now more students will go to doctors here on campus."

Kyllie Scalia (junior-psychology) said once students know of the accreditation, they will begin to use UHS services more.

"I think more students will start to use the health services offered on campus and take advantage of the benefits UHS offers if they know about the accreditation," she said.

Spear said the surveyors looked at every aspect of the service UHS provides.

"They look at everything from your explanation of the rights of patients to governance, administration and quality of care," she said. "It's a very rigorous process."

Nagy said UHS is pleased and proud that they were able to achieve the highest accreditation.

"It means extra work and extra commitment and dedication, but it's worth it," she said.

Spear said UHS has worked hard to develop the type of health care services they provide.

"In my opinion, it's like the good housekeeping seal of approval for health care services," Spear said.

The AAAHC could not be reached for comment.