The Livingston County Department of Health has maintained its national accreditation status through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) following a recent review process. The reaccreditation is valid for another five years and indicates that the department continues to meet PHAB’s quality standards and measures.
Livingston County’s Health Department was first accredited by PHAB in 2013, making it the first county health department in New York state to achieve this recognition. At that time, it was among only nine county health departments nationwide with the distinction. With this latest reaccreditation, Livingston County remains one of 18 accredited public health departments in New York state.
Public Health Director Jennifer Rodriguez stated, “We are grateful to have the efforts and expertise of our public health staff recognized at the national level. This achievement shows we meet the highest standards for public health practice and will continue providing the residents of Livingston County with programs and services that meet the needs of our community.”
Accreditation requires departments to be evaluated against a comprehensive set of evidence-informed standards covering all core public health functions, such as chronic disease prevention, health equity initiatives, and emergency preparedness. Departments must demonstrate sustained performance improvement and alignment with evolving national expectations every five years to maintain their status.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, President and CEO of PHAB, said, “We are pleased to see the Livingston County Health Department, along with many others, successfully maintaining their five-year PHAB accreditation. This demonstrates that accreditation is not just a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment to excellence. By maintaining accreditation, these health departments reaffirm their dedication to continuous improvement and community health.”
More than 20 members of the department contributed to preparation for reaccreditation beginning in early 2022. Their work included documenting performance, demonstrating alignment with national standards, gathering evidence, identifying best practices, and outlining priorities.
The Livingston County Department of Health provides a range of services aimed at protecting and improving community health throughout all stages of life. For more information about its programs and services, visit https://www.livingstoncountyny.gov/172/Department-of-Health.
Founded in 1821, Livingston County is located in New York’s Finger Lakes region and is home to over 61,000 residents across 17 towns within 631 square miles.
