Imagine being asked to demonstrate your expertise during a national hospital accreditation survey — and doing it flawlessly. That’s exactly what happened to Whitney LaPier, PharmD, an inpatient pharmacist at UVM Health – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH). When surveyors from the Joint Commission asked him to explain how he manages medications that patients bring from home, Whitney walked them through the process with confidence.

“I had only been with the hospital for about a year,” Whitney recalls. “I was just trying to get through it — but it turned out to be a great opportunity to show what we do.”

Whitney wasn’t alone in making a strong impression. Over four days in May, eight surveyors evaluated CVPH on everything from emergency preparedness and infection prevention to leadership and medication safety. They spoke with staff, observed workflows, and even interviewed patients — who praised the care they received.

The result? In August, CVPH earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval, a nationally recognized symbol of excellence in safety, quality, and patient care.

Why This Matters

Accreditation by the Joint Commission isn’t just a badge of honor — it’s a rigorous process that ensures hospitals meet the highest standards. For CVPH, it’s a validation of what we already know: our teams deliver exceptional care every day.

“This survey confirms what I have always known: We have a tremendously gifted team doing amazing work,” says Michelle LeBeau, CVPH President. “They’re proud of the care they provide, and it shows.”

A Learning Opportunity

Chief Quality Officer Brenda Murphy calls the survey both a celebration and a chance to grow. “It’s an opportunity to shine and to learn new ways to deliver great care,” she says. While surveyors highlighted areas for improvement, they also praised the team’s knowledge, compassion, and commitment to continuous learning.

Pharmacy in Focus

For pharmacists like Vincent Ludewig, PharmD, the survey sparked meaningful conversations about clinical decision-making, medication safety, and how technology supports patient care. “We talked about evaluating medications for appropriateness, drug-drug interactions, and safety,” Vincent says. “It was a great exchange of ideas.”

Looking Ahead

The Joint Commission accredits more than 22,000 health care organizations nationwide and requires hospitals to meet standards that reduce risk and improve outcomes. CVPH will be resurveyed in 2028 — but until then, our focus remains the same: delivering safe, compassionate, patient-centered care every day.

Want to work with a team that sets the standard for excellence?