"By putting their work out for peer review, these health departments are bringing new levels of transparency, credibility, and recognition to their mission," said PHAB President and CEO Kaye Bender, PhD, RN, FAAN. "The peer-review process provides valuable feedback to inform health departments of their strengths and areas for improvement so that they can better protect and promote the health of the people in the communities they serve."
On May 15, 2018, PHAB awarded five-year accreditation status to Fulton County General Health District in Wauseon, Ohio; Monterey County Health Department in Salinas, California; and Washington County Health Department in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
"Public health at the local level is focused on improving population health," said Fulton County Health Commissioner Kimberly A. Cupp, RS, MPH. "The work is usually done quietly, consistently, and without fanfare. This recognition of national accreditation is a fantastic honor and a tangible affirmation of the tremendous work accomplished through the Fulton County Health Department staff, our board of health, and community partners."
Commenting on the accreditation of Washington County Health Department, Larry Bergner, MPA, Regional Director of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, said the multi-year accreditation process has improved the professional growth of the agency's employees, provided greater opportunities for collaboration with community partners, and helped to improve internal procedures that have enhanced the services provided to communities in the county.
"I thank all of the hard-working employees of the Washington County Health Department who have shown such a strong commitment to public health and also the many community and agency partners who work with us daily to ensure the continued health and well-being of our county and beyond," Bergner said.
PHAB's national public health department accreditation standards address health departments' capacity to provide the broad range of public health services, including community health assessments, epidemiology, infectious disease control, health inspections, health education and promotion, and public health emergency preparedness.
"The accreditation process gave us a framework to build a strategic plan, set goals, and measure improvements to empower our community, enhance health and safety, ensure quality and culturally inclusive services, and engage our employees in meeting current and developing population health needs," said Elsa Jimenez, MPH, director of the newly accredited Monterey County Health Department in Salinas, California.