MORGANTOWN – “This is the journey we’re on,” Monongalia County Health Department Executive Director Anthony DeFelice said of MCHD’s sustained effort to achieve accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board.
As the word “journey” would suggest, it’s not a quick process, or easily accomplished.
Accreditation through PHAB requires agencies to undertake the arduous task of reviewing, improving and documenting efforts in each of the 10 essential public health services and foundational capabilities. These domains essentially touch every aspect of the health department as an organization, from the internal (HR policies, workforce development, financial transparency and strategic planning), to the external (community health needs, access to care, coalition building and disease surveillance).
Nationwide, approximately 460 health departments, or approximately 15%, have achieved the designation. There are two in West Virginia that have completed the process – Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and Cabell-Huntington Health Department.
Once approved through PHAB, health departments are responsible for annual reporting and a reaccreditation process every five years.
The accreditation board says conducting the internal review and completing the process is a benchmark of quality health departments and agencies.
PHAB notes, “It signifies that they adhere to rigorous standards and best practices. Accreditation isn’t a one-time indication of quality, but rather, an ongoing commitment to excellence. The process of accreditation encourages agencies to evaluate and improve their services continually.”
In the case of MCHD, the journey to accreditation began years ago. It took a lengthy detour when COVID-19 turned the daily operations of the health department, and the wider world, upside down.
When Dr. Brian Huggins took over as MCHD’s county health officer and head of clinical services in April 2024, he once again targeted accreditation as a primary objective.
During his most recent update to the Monongalia County Board of Health, DeFelice said MCHD is a little over halfway through the process. The health department submitted its application in May and now has until May 20, 2026 to submit documentation that demonstrates conformity with PHAB standards and measures.
“Every day, we’re making strides,” DeFelice said, explaining PHAB will schedule a site visit sometime after the upcoming May deadline. “So, we’re really probably looking to complete this process towards the beginning of 2027.”
Like he said, it’s a journey – a journey he believes will make the health department stronger, more nimble, transparent and collaborative, and more attuned to the health needs of the community.
“It provides an opportunity for health departments to examine their programs and processes to make sure our community is getting thorough and up-to-date services, and that we are reaching every segment of society,” DeFelice said.
