PRESS RELEASE – The Williams County Health Department today announced it has successfully completed a review process to maintain national accreditation status through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB).
In maintaining its accreditation status for another five years, the Williams County Health Department has demonstrated that it meets PHAB’s quality standards and measures and has the capacity to continue to evolve, improve and advance to continue improving the health of the residents of Williams County
The non-profit PHAB works to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong infrastructure, and innovation.
PHAB’s accreditation program, which receives support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sets standards against which the nation’s governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance.
“This recognition reflects the incredible work of our entire staff and our commitment to serving the public,” said Oscar Hernandez III, Williams County Health Commissioner.
“It holds us accountable, keeps us focused on our goals, and helps ensure we’re providing the best possible services to our community.”
The Williams County Health Department achieved national initial accreditation status through PHAB in 2018, after undergoing a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it met a set of quality standards and measures.
This announcement goes a step further by demonstrating that the Williams County Health Department has the capacity to become increasingly effective at improving the health of the community.
“We are pleased to see the Williams County Health Department, along with many others, successfully maintaining their five-year PHAB accreditation,” said PHAB President and CEO Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP.
“This demonstrates that accreditation is not just a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment to excellence. By maintaining accreditation, these health departments reaffirm their dedication to continuous improvement and community health.”
Often called the “backbone” of the public health system, public health departments are on the front lines of communities’ efforts to protect and promote health and prevent disease and injury.
PHAB-accredited health departments demonstrate great leadership by placing their work for peer review, with the goal of using the feedback obtained during the process to improve the services they provide to their communities.
The Williams County Health Department offers a wide range of services including Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), community health education, immunizations, and environmental public health programs.
Guided by data and aligned with priorities identified in the Williams County Community Health Assessment, staff are committed to improving the well-being of all county residents.
From providing free car seats to income-eligible families and supporting local mothers with breastfeeding resources to empowering students through substance-free initiatives in schools, the department’s team works every day to build a healthier, stronger community.
About the Williams County Health Department
The Williams County Health Department works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Williams County. Learn more about the Williams County Health Department at www.williamscountyhealth.org. For more information, please contact Katie Brown at katie.brown@williamscountyhealth.org or call (419) 485-3141 x120.
About the Public Health Accreditation Board
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) was created to serve as the national public health accrediting body and is jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Vital Records/Health Statistics accreditation is funded, in part, by the National Center for Health Statistics. The development of national public health department accreditation has involved, and is supported by, public health leaders and practitioners from the national, state, local, Tribal, and territorial levels.
For more information, contact PHAB Communications at communications@phaboard.org . Learn more about PHAB and accreditation at www.phaboard.org
