USM’s Moffitt Health Center Earns Reaccreditation

Fri, 01/06/2023 - 09:07am | By: Van Arnold

An ongoing commitment to excellence in patient care has enabled The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Student Health Services at Moffitt Health Center to earn a three-year reaccreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Student Health Services at USM has been accredited by AAAHC since 2002.

Moffitt Health Center is a multi-service health care facility located on USM’s Hattiesburg campus. Under the direction of Melissa Roberts, M.D., the center’s qualified staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and registered nurses with a student-focused mission to provide quality, cost-effective comprehensive health care, and educational services to the University community.

“This is an important milestone in the continuing growth and success of our health care organization,” said Roberts. “Pursuing accreditation demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest levels of quality care to our patients, and the same high level of quality in our business practices. Achieving AAAHC Accreditation is proof that Moffitt Health Center has met the rigorous standards of a nationally recognized third party.”

More than 6,600 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are currently accredited by AAAHC. 1095 Strong is a transformational movement and call-to action spearheaded by the AAAHC to equip ambulatory leaders with the best of what they need to operationalize quality practices.

The three-year, or 1,095-day period between accreditations is a critical time when ambulatory health organizations, with help from proven experts, can develop the kind of everyday habits that enable leaders in the industry to provide the utmost in quality care to their patients.

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking AAAHC Accreditation undergo an extensive self-assessment and onsite survey by AAAHC expert surveyors – physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory care. The survey is peer-based and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.

Between 2017-2019, Moffitt Health Center saw more than 43,757 patients. As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the country between 2020-2022, the number of patient visits increased to a little more than 50,000.

Moffitt Health Center originated in the 1950s as a nurse-directed student health services program. In the early 1960s, student health services were moved to their previous location at the Beedie Smith Clinic and the first physician director was hired.

Since that time, tremendous growth and change has taken place. The physical building underwent a major renovation in 1992 to meet the needs of a growing student population and changed from an infirmary to an ambulatory care service. The Joint Commission first accredited Student Health Services in 1987.

USM Student Health Services began construction of a new facility in 2012. Moffitt Health Center, a state-of-the-art facility, opened its doors in March 2015. The center offers increased square footage for patient care, a larger pharmacy, laboratory and X-ray rooms, and additional administrative offices.

To learn more about Student Health Services at Moffitt Health Center, call 601.266.5390 or visit: https://www.usm.edu/student-health-services/index.php