Submitted by EBCI Public Health Department
The EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Public Health Department has announced it has achieved National Public Health Accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). This prestigious recognition signifies the department’s unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality public health services to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians community members. It is the gold standard in public health practice.
Members of the EBCI Public Health Department team is shown, left to right, Brandy Davis (Operations Director), Lyndsey Henderson (Preparedness Coordinator), Mike Quillen (Health Care Administration Director), Robin Callahan (Cherokee Choices & NFP Program Director), Stella Blankenship (Tsalagi Public Health Program Manager), Mark Tuttle (Epidemiologist), Sheena Kanott Lambert (Public Health Director), Martha Salyers (Accreditation Coordinator), Dwayne Reed (Former- Environmental Health & Safety Specialist), and Jennifer Oskins (Quality Improvement Specialist). Not pictured: Radonna Crowe (Public Relations Specialist), Manuel Hernadez (Training Coordinator), Emily Maass (CDC Public Health Associate), Jessica Enhelder (CDC Public Health Associate), Mellie Burns (Children’s Dental Program Manager), Charles “Chuck” Reagan (Current- Environmental Health & Safety Specialist), Kimberly Lambert (WIC Program Manager), and Melanie Ashe (Former Tribal In Home Care Administrator), Gretchen McNab (Current Tribal In Home Care Administrator), and Alisha Hernandez (Office Administrator) all other public health staff who work tirelessly every day to serve the community. (PHHS photo)
“We pursued PHAB accreditation to ensure we are meeting the highest national standards for public health practice while honoring the unique needs of our tribal community, “states Sheena Kanott Lambert, EBCI Public Health Director. “This multi-year journey has strengthened our department’s infrastructure, improved how we deliver services, and deepened our partnerships across the local public health system. I’m incredibly proud of our team for this achievement—but ultimately, this milestone is about our community. As the public health authority for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, our responsibility is to help our people live longer, healthier lives. Accreditation is a powerful step toward that vision.”
PHAB accreditation is a rigorous process that requires health departments to demonstrate that they meet nationally recognized standards of public health practice across 12 domains. These domains encompass essential areas of public health practice, such as:
- Community health assessment
- Disease prevention and control
- Health promotion and education
- Environmental health
- Emergency preparedness
- Community Partnerships
- Community Engagement
- Workforce Development
- Continuous Quality Improvement
By achieving national accreditation, the EBCI Public Health Department has established itself as a leader in tribal public health – becoming only the third health department in North Carolina (out of 85) and the seventh federally recognized tribe in the entire nation (out of 574) to earn this distinction. This national recognition places EBCI Public Health among the top 3.5 percent of North Carolina health departments and the top 1.2 percent of federally recognized tribes nationwide – demonstrating leadership in public health excellence and cultural responsiveness.
It demonstrates the department’s ongoing commitment to:
- Promoting healthy lifestyles: Encouraging healthy behaviors and preventing disease.
- Protecting the community from health threats: Addressing public health emergencies and ensuring a safe and healthy environment.
- Improving the health outcomes of tribal members: Providing effective and culturally competent services.
Officials with the Department state, “EBCI Public Health Department extends its deepest gratitude to its dedicated workforce, community and county partners, and tribal leadership for their invaluable contributions in achieving this accomplishment. This national accreditation signifies the collective effort and commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of EBCI community members. Together, we pave the way for a brighter, healthier future of “ᏙᎯ” (TOHI) – for generations to come.”
