On Friday, November 12th, the Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) announced it will be reaccredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). PHAB sets standards against which the nation’s governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance.
Dr. Barbara Brookmyer explained the significance of accreditation in a press release:
“We are pleased and excited to have successfully been reaccredited,” said Dr. Brookmyer. “Since becoming accredited in 2014, we have worked hard exceed national standards that promote continuous quality improvement for public health. Our reaccreditation process was delayed slightly due to the COVID-19 pandemic taking priority for both our staff and PHAB staff. Even with that additional focus, our reaccreditation shows that Frederick County is served by a high functioning public health department and workforce. Our active engagement with community partners was a recognized strength, and we know that this collaboration is something that makes all of Frederick County special. We are so proud of this accomplishment and our continued commitment to improving the health and wellness of Frederick County residents.”
FCHD first received accreditation in December of 2014, and was one of the first health departments in the state to do so. Reaccreditation ensures the Department can effectively “prevent disease and illness, promote wellness and safety and protect public health.”
