Southern Nevada Health District awarded national accreditation

Public Health Accreditation demonstrates Southern Nevada Health Districts commitment to excellence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 16, 2022

LAS VEGAS — Today, the Southern Nevada Health District announced it has been awarded national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The five-year accreditation status achieved by the Health District is the culmination of a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process designed to ensure public health agencies meet a set of quality standards and measures.

“This achievement is a reflection of our staff’s dedication to providing effective services and striving for continuous quality improvement in all that we do,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “This announcement should also underscore for the community how unwavering our commitment has been to maintain services and improve our performance in the midst of the unprecedented response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

PHAB was established in 2007 and is the nonprofit organization that administers the national accreditation program, which aims to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong infrastructure and innovation. The national accreditation program, which received support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards against which the nation’s governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. More than 80 percent of the U.S. population now reap the benefits of being served by an accredited health department.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment and recognition of our Health District’s commitment to protecting and promoting public health in our community,” said Southern Nevada District Board of Health Chair and North Las Vegas Councilman Scott Black. “This achievement is also a testament to our partners. Their demonstrated support and involvement were integral to our success.”

Public health departments are on the front lines of communities’ efforts to protect and promote health and prevent disease and injury. Across the nation, health departments provide services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.

Information about programs and services available at Health District public health centers and its Southern Nevada Community Health Center is available at www.snhd.info and www.snchc.org.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.