AAHA announces 2022 AAHA-Accredited Practice of the Year

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) announced earlier this month at the Connexity Conference announced that Lafayette Veterinary Care Center (LVCC) in Lafayette, Louisiana, has been named the 2022 AAHA-Accredited Practice of the Year. LVCC has been accredited by the AAHA for 50 years, passing its first evaluation in 1972.

“This award is about an overall level of excellence that not only reflects the highest level of patient care, but also reflects the importance of the practice culture, community service, and team development,” said Mark Thompson, DVM, CCRP, and vice president of the AAHA Board of Directors, in an organizational release.¹ “This practice exemplifies that high level extremely well.”

According to the release,¹ LVCC offers 24-hours emergency services, wellness appointments, and a resort that offers boarding, grooming, and daycare. LVCC has been accredited by the AAHA for 50 years, passing its first evaluation in 1972, and has grown to the largest veterinary practice in 6 parishes made up of 13 doctors and 140 team members.

“They were the most AAHA-forward practice demonstrating their commitment to AAHA standards. What I mean by AAHA-forward is that they presented their practice, to staff and the public, with AAHA as their standard of excellence. They demonstrated a rare level of community service, and a practice culture that should be admired,” Thompson said.

Along with its services provided to clients and patients, LVC created a healthy workplace culture through different strategies to help fight burnout and encourage community involvement through year-round community and charitable community activities.

The other finalists include¹:

• Stack Veterinary Hospital in Syracuse, New York
• Four Seasons Veterinary Specialist in Loveland, Colorado
• MedVet-New Orleans in Metairie, Louisiana

The AAHA-Accredited Practice of the Year award is given to an AAHA-accredited hospital that demonstrates workplace culture, client engagement, patient care, and community involvement. To win, the award committee evaluates each finalist on the practice’s mission and vision, team composition, continuing education training programs, recent AAHA accreditation score, community services, and more.

Reference

Lafayette veterinary care center named 2022 AAHA-Accredited Practice of the Year. News release. American Animal Hospital Association. September 16, 2022. Accessed September 20, 2022. https://www.aaha.org/about-aaha/media-room/press-release-list/lafayette-veterinary-care-center-named-2022-aaha-accredited-practice-of-the-year/