The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has reaffirmed Eastern Virginia Medical School's regional accreditation, meaning EVMS' mission and educational programs meet SACS' rigorous standards.

This reaffirmation "is a significant accomplishment and speaks well for the quality of work of our faculty and staff, not in a few areas but in all areas of our operations," says EVMS President Harry T. Lester.

The re-accreditation process involves internal and external top-to-bottom reviews of the school. According to SACS, successful completion of the review means officials agree that EVMS' mission is appropriate for higher education, that it has resources sufficient to accomplish that mission, that it has clearly specified education objectives and that it successfully achieves those objects.

"This reaffirmation represents full accreditation for EVMS in accordance with SACS standards, and no further reports are required until the next reaffirmation in 2019," says EVMS President Harry T. Lester.

The SACS ruling also included approval of the school's Quality Enhancement Plan, known as EVMS 2.0, with its emphasis on improving student learning through educational technology.

"The recognition of the quality of our work by our peers reflects well on all of us," Mr. Lester says.

Mr. Lester praised the more than 40 faculty, students and staff who took part in the extensive review process.

He also cited C. Donald Combs, PhD, vice provost for planning and health professions, who chaired the overall effort; Jeff Johnson, executive director for operations and compliance with the EVMS School of Health Professions, who led the compliance effort; Tom Pellegrino, MD, associate dean for education, who led the QEP effort; and John Ullian, PhD, director of faculty development; and Judith Robinson, librarian and associate dean for library and learning resources, for their support during the SACS review.

For more information on the accreditation process, visit the SACS website.