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14 Public Health Departments Achieve Accreditation or Reaccreditation Status by the Public Health Accreditation Board

Accredited health departments demonstrate their commitment to providing high quality public health services

November 9, 2023 – Alexandria, VA – The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) today announced the names of 14 public health departments that have achieved accreditation or reaccreditation status, after completion of a systematic review process against national standards. After demonstrating their commitment to excellence and a dedication to continuous improvement these health departments have achieved accreditation for the next five years.

Health departments play a vital role in improving the health of the communities they serve. Accreditation serves as a catalyst for continuous development and improvement, enhancing emergency preparedness efforts, and fostering quality and performance improvement. Furthermore, it strengthens infrastructure and workforce development, ensuring that health departments have the necessary systems in place to efficiently deliver high-quality public health services.

“Many of our most powerful health and wellness tools are found in preventative measures and in how we proactively encourage healthy habits. In the Cherokee Nation, many of these efforts are spearheaded by the Cherokee Nation Public Health team. This team takes great pride in addressing health and wellness head-on among Cherokee citizens,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “The Public Health Accreditation Board’s reaccreditation is a testament to the Cherokee Nation Public Health team’s dedication to improving the lives of Cherokee people. Their work is a model for all of Indian Country and I am proud of their accomplishments. “

“To achieve national Public Health Accreditation is a tremendous accomplishment for the Clifton Health Department. This is not only a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire Clifton Health Department staff, but also our Clifton City Administration, our Clifton Governing Body, the Clifton Board of Health, and the myriad community partnerships we have developed,” said John Biegel, Health Officer at Clifton Health Department. “We embarked on this voluntary process in order to hold our staff to the highest possible standards for public health practice, and I am most of all excited for the residents of Clifton who will benefit the most from the Health Department’s enhanced culture of transparency, staff development, and quality improvement.

PHAB administers the national accreditation program and works to advance and transform the public health practice of governmental public health departments in the United States and abroad through quality and performance improvement.

“Accreditation demonstrates a health department’s commitment to excellence and their efforts to enhance the health and well-being of their communities,” said PHAB President and CEO Paul Kuehnert, DNP, RN, FAAN. “It is not just a badge of honor; it ensures health departments are equipped with the necessary tools and infrastructure to perform at their very best, delivering consistent quality public health services. “

National initial accreditation was awarded November 7, 2023 to:

  1. Pike County General Health District, OH
  2. Harrison County General Health District, OH
  3. Clinton County Health District, OH
  4. Clifton Health Department, NJ
  5. Schenectady County Public Health Services, NY
  6. Jefferson County Public Health, OR

National reaccreditation was awarded November 7, 2023 to:

  1. Cherokee Nation Public Health, OK
  2. Salt Lake County Health Department, UT
  3. District Health Department #10, MI
  4. Maricopa County Department of Public Health, AZ
  5. Fairfax County Health Department, VA
  6. Union County General Health District, OH
  7. Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health, MN
  8. Butte County Department of Public Health, CA