An independent, nonprofit, voluntary organization sponsored by the American College of Physicians (ACP), the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Medical Association (AMA), and other medical, dental, and health care organizations. JCAHO is the successor to the Hospital Standardization Program (HSP) of the ACS. It is based in Chicago, Illinois. Governance is by a Board of Commissioners designated by the sponsoring organizations.