The Hamilton Township Division of Health has earned national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board — which the township says is a recognition of the division’s commitment to providing high-quality public health services to the community.
The Hamilton Township Division of Health now stands alongside the New Jersey Department of Health and just six other local health departments in the state that have earned the distinction. Additionally, Hamilton is the largest noncounty health department in New Jersey to receive the distinction.
Nationally, there are only 454 accredited health departments across state, local, county, and tribal levels, out of over 3,300 department nationwide.
“Achieving PHAB accreditation reaffirms our commitment to deliver essential public health services, protect against health threats, and improve the wellbeing for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Hamilton,” said Kathleen Fitzgerald, director of health. “It also reflects the dedication of our staff, the strength of our partnerships, and our commitment to building a healthier Hamilton.”
In recognizing the township’s division of health, PHAB specifically mentions the division’s strong community partnerships, abilities to assess population health needs, equitable access to public health services and a strong workforce that meets the needs of the community.
Mayor Jeff Martin said the recognition reflects the dedication of the people behind the scenes.
“Our Division of Health staff has shown our community incredible commitment. They have gone above and beyond, not only during emergencies, but every day,” said Martin. “This accomplishment confirms what I have known – that Hamilton residents are in good hands. I couldn’t be prouder of our health team.”
Continuous quality improvement is at the heart of PHAB accreditation, and the Hamilton Township Division of Health says that it is committed to making it an ongoing practice.
“PHAB accreditation does more than recognize quality — it pushes health departments to grow and get even better,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, president and CEO of PHAB. “This accomplishment means the people of Hamilton Township can feel confident their health department is well equipped, forward thinking, and focused on protecting their health every day.”
PHAB, a nonprofit organization established in 2007, oversees the national accreditation program for public health departments across the country. Its mission is to strengthen public health by encouraging performance improvement, innovation, and a strong infrastructure. PHAB’s accreditation process is backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The program mission is to focus on Foundational Capabilities and aligns with the 10 Essential Public Health Services — a framework for what health departments should be doing to keep communities safe and healthy.
“This achievement is both a recognition of our work and a promise for the future,” said Chris Hellwig, health officer. “We hope this assures our residents, partners, and local leaders that the services we provide are not only responsive, but (also) rooted in best practices and designed to meet the core needs of our community.”
Web: hamiltonnj.com/Health and phaboard.org.
