The Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC) laboratory has been recognized with the COLA Laboratory Excellence Award, honoring its outstanding commitment to quality, accuracy, and patient safety.
The award is presented to laboratories that demonstrate exceptional performance during COLA’s rigorous accreditation process. Every two years, COLA evaluates laboratory operations, reviews quality practices, and assesses proficiency testing to ensure laboratories meet the highest standards of care.
During its most recent inspection, CUHCC’s laboratory earned a perfect score–a rare achievement. The team also received 100% accuracy on all proficiency testing over the past two years, successfully identifying every test sample provided as part of COLA’s quality assessment program. This marks the third time CUHCC has received the Laboratory Excellence Award.
According to Laboratory Manager Jeff Thompson, the achievement reflects the work of the entire laboratory team, including Laboratory Director Dr. Luu and laboratory staff Mohamud, Ermias, Ivory, and Nora.
"They take pride in their work, consistently perform quality checks, and are committed to providing accurate, reliable results for every patient" -Jeff Thompson, CUHCC Laboratory Manager
Each day, the team collects and analyzes patient samples, completing many tests on-site and preparing others to be sent to an external laboratory for specialized testing. Onsite lab services at CUHCC allow many patients to complete their medical visit and lab work in one place, making care more convenient and accessible.
As CUHCC prepares to move into its new building, the laboratory will gain a larger space designed to support future growth. The new lab will include an additional blood draw chair and dedicated areas for specimen collection and testing, providing more room for both patients and staff while supporting the laboratory’s continued commitment to high-quality care.