Independence Health System Clarion Hospital Achieves Recognition for its Continued Adherence to IAC Accreditation Guidelines

Clarion, PA, Apr. 25, 2025 – Independence Health System continues to demonstrate its commitment to adhering to the highest standards of care in cardiovascular health, with Clarion Hospital reaching a 20-year echocardiography milestone through the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). The IAC launched the milestone recognition program in 2023 to honor facilities who have continuously achieved accreditation for the past 10, 20 and 25 years. Clarion Hospital first received accreditation in 2005 and is among 77 facilities that have achieved a 20-year milestone this year, demonstrating the system’s long-term commitment to continuously improving patient outcomes and safety. 

Every three-year cycle, accredited facilities undergo an intensive application and review process to re-earn accreditation, with an assessment conducted by a panel of medical experts. The IAC accreditation process enables both the critical operational and technical components of the applicant facility to be assessed, including representative case studies and their corresponding final reports. 

The five hospitals of Independence Health System – Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland – are among more than 6,000 facilities in the U.S. and Canada currently accredited by the IAC in Adult or Pediatric Echocardiography. Annually, more than 32,000 echocardiograms are performed across the system. Butler Memorial first received accreditation in 2006, while Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland hospitals sought IAC accreditation a little over a decade ago.

“Celebrating 20 years of echocardiography accreditation is not just a milestone—it’s a testament to our enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and patient-centered care,” said Angel Flores, MD, FACC, Medical Director Non-Invasive Cardiology Butler Memorial and Clarion. “At Clarion Hospital, we take immense pride in maintaining the highest standards in cardiac imaging, and this achievement reflects the dedication of our entire team. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide accurate diagnostics and compassionate care for every heart we serve.” 

Echocardiography is used to assess different areas of the heart and can detect heart disease or signs of serious cardiovascular conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. On average, one American dies every 34 seconds of cardiovascular disease – disorders of the heart and blood vessels. 

“We are proud to recognize long-time accredited echocardiography facilities through the milestone recognition program. Since being incorporated in 1997 as the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL), we (now IAC Echocardiography) have helped thousands of facilities standardize their processes to provide better patient care and improved outcomes. The recognized facilities are true champions of accreditation. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to delivering safe, effective and compassionate care using accreditation as a quality metric. These facilities’ ongoing commitment to quality patient care is an example for other health care providers to follow. It is a reminder of the importance of putting patients first and striving to continuously improve the quality of care provided,” said Mary Lally, MS, CAE, CEO of the IAC. 

Independence Health System offers a comprehensive and robust cardiovascular program, which includes noninvasive diagnostic testing, minimally invasive device implantation and procedures, robot-assisted surgery and post-procedure cardiac rehabilitation, among others. The program continues to receive national recognition for its adherence to demonstrating adherence to the highest standards in care and outcomes. Learn more at www.independence.health.

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About Independence Health System 

Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health

About IAC 

 The IAC is a nonprofit organization in operation to evaluate and accredit facilities that provide diagnostic imaging and interventional-based procedures, thus improving the quality of patient care provided in private offices, clinics and hospitals where such services are performed. The IAC provides accreditation programs for vascular testing, echocardiography, nuclear/PET, MRI, CT/dental CT, carotid stenting, vascular interventional, cardiac electrophysiology and cardiovascular catheterization. The IAC programs for accreditation are dedicated to ensuring quality patient care and promoting health care and all support one common mission: Improving health care through accreditation^®. Committed to its mission through a rigorous peer review process, the IAC has granted accreditation to more than 14,000 sites since its inception in 1991. To learn more about IAC, visit www.intersocietal.org.