Johnston County Public Health Department Awarded Reaccreditation with Honors Designation
Smithfield, NC – The Johnston County Public Health Department has been awarded Reaccreditation with Honors by the North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation (NCLHDA) Board. This designation, presented on November 15, 2024, recognizes the department's dedication to providing exceptional public health services and its commitment to meeting and exceeding statewide standards.
The reaccreditation process evaluates a public health department's capacity to serve the community, protect patient confidentiality, maintain safe facilities, and collaborate effectively with partners.
“We are proud to receive this honor. It reflects the hard work, collaboration, and commitment of our staff and partners,” said Dr. Marilyn Pearson, Johnston County Public Health Director. “Achieving Reaccreditation with Honors demonstrates our ongoing efforts to protect and improve the health and well-being of Johnston County residents.”
The Reaccreditation with Honors designation highlights health departments that excel in their assessments, achieving near-perfect compliance with the NCLHDA's rigorous standards. This achievement marks the department’s continued leadership in public health, including its exceptional response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The site visit team reviewed 147 activities, and I'm proud to report that Johnston County met all 147- a perfect score. As a result, we were recommended for Reaccreditation with Honors, a designation that can only be achieved by meeting nearly every benchmark," Dr. Pearson told County Commissioners in last week's regularly scheduled Board meeting. "This is a testament to the dedication of our staff, particularly our accreditation coordinators, NarShira Vann and Tracy Hadjipetrou, who uploaded more than a thousand documents during this process."
Accreditation is a cornerstone of North Carolina’s public health system, ensuring that all 85 local health departments provide essential services to their communities. North Carolina remains the first state to mandate accreditation for its local health departments, setting a standard for public health excellence across the nation.
The reaccreditation process involves three major components:
- A comprehensive self-assessment conducted by the health department.
- A site visit by a multidisciplinary team of peers to evaluate performance.
- A determination of accreditation status by an independent Accreditation Board composed of state and local public health leaders, county commissioners, and board of health members.
“Reaccreditation is more than a certification; it’s a commitment to continuous improvement,” said Margaret Benson Nemitz, NC Local Health Department Accreditation Administrator. “Johnston County Public Health Department’s achievement is a testament to its dedication to excellence and its unwavering service to the community.”
For more information about the Johnston County Public Health Department and its services, visit the Health Department's website or call (919) 989-5200.
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