Tallahassee, FL - Today, Interim State Surgeon General Dr.
Celeste Philip announced that the Florida Department of Health has received
first-in-the-nation national accreditation as an integrated department of
health through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). This seal of
accreditation signifies that the unified Florida Department of Health,
including the state health office and all 67 county health departments, has
been rigorously examined and meets or exceeds national standards for public
health performance management and continuous quality improvement.
“For the people of Florida, this accreditation is a testament to
the department’s ability to keep communities ahead of emerging health threats
while promoting best practices to meet ongoing health challenges,” said Interim
State Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip. “I want to thank Dr. John Armstrong
for his leadership and dedication to make Florida the first-ever nationally
accredited integrated department of health. This achievement demonstrates the
passion and commitment of 15,000 public health professionals and numerous
community partners to improving public health.”
The announcement comes after more than a year of compiling data
to support the accreditation process. The process included visits to multiple
county health departments where PHAB representatives did thorough site reviews.
Today’s announcement represents accreditation for all 67 county health departments,
the Tallahassee offices, bureaus and divisions.
Public health departments play a crucial role in protecting and
improving the health of people and communities. In cities, towns and states
across the nation, health departments provide a range of services aimed at
promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access
to safe food, water, clean air and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for
and responding to public health emergencies.
"PHAB is pleased and excited to recognize the Florida
Department of Health for achieving national standards that foster effectiveness
and promote continuous quality improvement," said PHAB President and CEO
Kaye Bender, PhD, RN, FAAN. “By going through the accreditation process, Florida's
statewide public health department system is ensuring the integration of the
programs and services provided by the central office and the 67 local public
health departments. We congratulate this integrated system of 67 local public
health departments and the state health department for demonstrating a
consistent and continuing commitment to improving public health in
Florida."
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 more than 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.
About the Public Health
Accreditation Board
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), established in
2007, 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. The development of national public health
accreditation has involved, and is supported by, public health leaders and
practitioners from the national, Tribal, state, and local levels. Learn more
about PHAB or sign up for the PHAB e-newsletter by visiting www.phaboard.org.
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