Fort Walton Beach, Florida. — The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) reaccredited the Florida Department of Health, which includes the Okaloosa County Health Department, as an integrated health department for another five years. This seal of accreditation signifies that the unified Florida Department of Health, which includes the State Health Office and the 67 county health departments, meets or exceeds national standards for public health performance management and continuous quality improvement. The Department demonstrated a focus on accountability and performance to improve the health of communities throughout the state.

“We are pleased to be reaccredited by PHAB,” said Beth Smith, health officer of the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County. “DOH-Okaloosa continues to strive to improve our services and increase performance so that we can improve the health of our community.”

PHAB praised the Department for operating as a collaborative and effective integrated system noting that the inter-county collaboration is evident through shared programs and positions across the state. PHAB applauded staff across the integrated system for being highly dedicated, passionate, and proud of their work around improving the health of the communities they serve. PHAB also commended the Department for maintaining a continued commitment to accreditation.

PHAB, the nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that administers the national accrediting program, works to improve and protect the public's health by advancing and transforming the quality and performance of governmental public health departments in the United States.

About the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County

The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County nationally accredited as part of an Integrated Local Public Health Department System by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov. 

###