Princeton Health Department Earns Prestigious National Reaccreditation

PRINCETON, NJ – The Princeton Health Department has achieved national reaccreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), marking a significant milestone in the department's ongoing commitment to public health excellence.

This recognition places Princeton among fewer than 400 health departments nationwide and less than six statewide to earn this distinguished status.

PHAB, a nonprofit organization that establishes standards for public health practice across the United States, employs rigorous criteria to ensure health departments not only meet nationally recognized benchmarks but also continuously evolve to address emerging public health challenges.

"Being reaccredited demonstrates our ongoing dedication to excellence in public health," said Jeffrey Grosser, Princeton Health Officer. "We're proud to continue meeting the highest standards for effectiveness, transparency, and responsiveness. This achievement reflects the hard work of our team and the strong partnerships we've built within our community."

Mayor Mark Freda emphasized the forward-looking nature of the achievement. "In an evolving public health landscape, reaccreditation ensures that we are not only meeting today's challenges but preparing for tomorrow's. This recognition underscores Princeton's place as a leader in public health innovation and preparedness," Freda said.

Princeton's distinction is particularly noteworthy given its status as one of the smallest health departments in the country to achieve reaccreditation based on staffing size, yet maintaining the same rigorous standards as much larger departments.

"Achieving reaccreditation through PHAB demonstrates that our team is not only upholding high standards but also striving to surpass them," said Councilwoman and Board of Health Liaison Leticia Fraga. "We understand that a robust public health infrastructure is essential for building a strong, resilient community."

The Princeton Health Department serves the community through diverse programs and responsibilities, including conducting compliance investigations for retail food establishments, youth camps, and public bathing facilities.

The department also manages communicable disease investigations, vaccine audits at local schools, and administers vital statistics including birth, death, and marriage certificates. Community outreach initiatives like the Mayor's Wellness Campaign and seasonal immunization clinics further demonstrate the department's comprehensive approach to public health.

The reaccreditation process evaluates departments across 10 core domains, measuring both internal capacity and external service delivery. Since earning initial accreditation in 2018, Princeton has enhanced key areas including infectious disease response, environmental health operations, equitable access to services, and culturally and linguistically appropriate communication.

The national accreditation program receives joint support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, providing a framework for public health agencies to improve performance and deliver measurable value to their communities.

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