Lincoln County Health Department is proud to announce that it has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The national accreditation program works to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing and ultimately transforming the quality and performance of the nation’s state, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments. Lincoln County Health Department is one of fewer than 200 health departments that have thus far achieved accreditation through PHAB since the organization launched in 2011.
“We are pleased and excited to be recognized for achieving national standards that foster effectiveness and promote continuous quality improvement,” said Shelley Hersil, Health Officer and Director, of the Lincoln County Health Department. “The accreditation process helps to ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community. With accreditation, Lincoln County Health Department is demonstrating increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials and partner organizations with which we work.”
The national accreditation program, jointly supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards against which the nation’s nearly 3,000 governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. To receive accreditation, a health department must undergo a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures.
“Our seal of accreditation indicates that Lincoln County Health Department has been rigorously examined and meets or exceeds national standards that promote continuous quality improvement for public health,” Hersil said. “By continuing to improve our services and performance, we can be sure we are meeting the public health needs of those we serve as effectively as possible.”
“The Lincoln County Health Department joins the growing ranks of accredited health departments in a strong commitment to their public health 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 they serve in their communities. Residents of a community served by a nationally accredited health department can be assured that their health department has demonstrated the capacity to protect and promote the health of that community.”
Achieving Public Health Accreditation has been a long standing goal for the department. “We are thankful for all the support we received from our Board of Health, partners, public health colleagues and community members throughout this process,” said Hersil. “Although this is a major accomplishment, there is always work to be done to improve and ensure the health and well-being of the residents we serve.”
Lincoln County Health Department would like to give a special thank you to the Board of Health. Their support and involvement in this process was essential. Members include: Mike Loka, Bill Zeitz, Tyler Mueller, Patricia Voermans, Frank Saal, Sue Weith, Dr. Jeff Moore and Brenda Mueller.
For more information about Lincoln County Health Department’s programs and services, visit lincolncountyhealthdepartment.com or find us on Facebook. Lincoln County Health Department is always working for a safer and healthier Lincoln County.