'It feels surreal': National accreditation awarded to Galion Health Department

The Galion City Health Department has earned national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board, a nonprofit based in Alexandria, Virginia.

Accreditation is awarded after completion of a systematic review process against national standards, according to Jason McBride, Galion's health commissioner.

"There were 100 measures that we were critiqued on to become an accredited health department," McBride said. "It was a lengthy process."

McBride has led the Galion Health Department since becoming the city's health commissioner on Feb. 25, 2022. He said then that the department's services were one of his top priorities.

"Accreditation drives health departments to continuously improve the quality of services they deliver," McBride said Tuesday afternoon. "With accreditation, we are more effectively demonstrating accountability and credibility to everyone with whom the health department works: the community, elected officials, funders and partner organizations."

The accreditation is valid for five years, according to a news release provided by the board.

"Accreditation supports continuous development and improvement by strengthening infrastructure, increasing health equity and emergency preparedness, improving quality and performance improvement, and strengthening infrastructure and workforce development," the news release reads.

Health department accreditation demonstrates commitment to excellence and dedication to improving the health of residents, according to Paul Kuehnert, president and CEO of the Public Health Accreditation Board.

"It not only recognizes the hard work and perseverance of our public health professionals, but ensures that health departments have the needed infrastructure, resources, and systems needed to function efficiently and deliver high quality public health services," Kuehnert said.

And after nearly a year-and-a-half at the helm, the city's health commissioner is proud of his staff for their efforts.

“It feels surreal to now be an accredited health department," McBride said. "We're very excited about it."

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Galion Health Department earns national accreditation