JCHD awarded national accreditation

Published 5:38 pm Wednesday, March 29, 2017

The Jessamine County Health Department announced on Monday that last week, it had achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board.

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. 

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Though hundreds of health departments across the country seek accreditation through PHAB, The Jessamine County Health Department is one of fewer than 200 health departments that have thus far achieved accreditation through the organization since its launch in 2011.

“We are pleased and excited to be recognized for achieving national standards that foster effectiveness and promote continuous quality improvement,” said Randy Gooch, Director of the Jessamine 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, Jessamine County Health Department is demonstrating increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials and partner organizations with which we work.”

In order to achieve the accreditation, Gooch said that the JCHD and to undergo an extensive assessment process to ensure that it met or exceeded a set of quality standards and measures. 

“Whenever you see our seal of accreditation, you will know that Jessamine County Health Department has been rigorously examined and meets or exceeds national standards that promote continuous quality improvement for public health,” Gooch explained in a press release. “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 Jessamine 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, Ph.D., 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.”

The Jessamine County Health Department is located at 210 East Walnut Street in Nicholasville.