Tuscarawas County Health Department earns national reaccreditation

The Tuscarawas County Health Department has achieved national reaccreditation status through the Public Health Accreditation Board, reaffirming the department’s commitment to public health services in Tuscarawas County.

By maintaining its accreditation status for another five years, the department demonstrated it meets PHAB quality standards and has the capacity to continue improving health outcomes for county residents.

PHAB accreditation is considered the national standard for public health departments and recognizes agencies that meet benchmarks for performance, quality improvement, community engagement, preparedness and leadership in public health practice. The reaccreditation process includes a review of programs, policies, community partnerships, emergency preparedness capabilities, communication strategies and organizational performance.

“This national reaccreditation is a reflection of the incredible dedication and professionalism of our staff,” Katie Seward, Tuscarawas County health commissioner, said. “Public health work is often challenging and largely performed behind the scenes, but this achievement validates the exceptional work our employees do every day to protect and improve the health of our communities.”

The health department first achieved national accreditation through PHAB in 2019 following a peer-reviewed assessment process evaluating quality standards and measures.

“We are pleased to see Tuscarawas County Health Department, along with many others, successfully maintaining their five-year PHAB accreditation,” PHAB President and CEO Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said. “This demonstrates that accreditation is not just a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment to excellence.”

The recent PHAB review evaluated the department across a range of public health areas, including community health assessment, emergency preparedness, disease surveillance, health communication, policy development, environmental health enforcement, health equity initiatives and community partnerships.

The department received multiple “Fully Demonstrated” ratings during the review process. In its site visit report, PHAB reviewers described the department’s greatest strength as “its people,” noting employees are “passionate, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to advancing public health.”

Reviewers also praised the department’s communications efforts, workplace culture, outreach programs and partnerships with the community.

“Overall, the Tuscarawas County Health Department demonstrates a strong commitment to excellence, accountability, and community-centered public health practice,” reviewers stated in the report. “Staff exhibit a clear understanding of the accreditation process and have embraced a culture of continuous quality improvement.”

Public health departments play a central role in protecting and promoting community health while preventing disease and injury. PHAB-accredited health departments undergo peer review and use the process to strengthen the services they provide.