COLA

Established as the Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation in 1988, COLA's mission was to accredit physician office laboratories (POLs). COLA has since broadened its mission, and officially changed its name to the acronym COLA to reflect an expanding menu of services. In addition ot accrediting POLs, COLA also offers programs for the accreditation of small hospital laboratories and conducts site reviews of physician offices for managed care plans.

COLA is sponsored by:

• American Medical Association
• American Academy of Family Physicians
• American College of Physicians
• American Osteopathic Association
  

COLA has an 11-member Board of Directors, that includes representatives from each of the sponsoring organizations. The AMA representatives support the improvement in health care through the advancement of AMA Policy in the formulation of COLA standards and programs.

The AMA is currently represented on the COLA Board of Directors by:

• Ardis Hoven, MD
• Veronica A. Santilli, MD, MHA, CPE
• Cecil B. Wilson, MD 

For more information about COLA, you may call (800) 981-9883 or visit their Web site at www.cola.org.