Body of News Release
Marin County, CA — Marin County Public Health (MCPH) has been awarded national accreditation through the nonprofit Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), becoming the 30th public health organization in California to achieve the milestone.
The recognition comes during National Public Health Week and highlights the importance of strong, effective public health systems. PHAB sets rigorous national standards, ensuring health departments meet best practices in quality, performance, and service delivery.
National reviewers praised MCPH’s strong infrastructure, commitment to equity, and deeply embedded culture of continuous improvement. Central to this recognition were Marin’s Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan — developed in partnership with the longstanding Healthy Marin Partnership — and recognized for driving meaningful, community-led action. The COVID-19 pandemic further strengthened MCPH’s focus on engagement, leading to the creation of Community Resiliency Teams that advance locally driven strategies to measurably improve health outcomes in Marin’s most vulnerable populations.
"Achieving national accreditation reflects our commitment to meeting the highest standards in public health practice and continuously improving how we serve our community," said Dr. Lisa Santora, Marin County Public Health Officer. “The pandemic brought significant hardship to our community and, in response, strengthened our focus and partnerships. Our Community Health Improvement Plan is now our north star, carrying those lessons forward and holding us accountable to communities most impacted by health disparities and racial inequities. Above all, I am proud that PHAB recognized our commitment to ‘radical collaboration’ — a trust-driven approach built over years with our community partners that now defines how public health is delivered in Marin County."
MCPH promotes health, prevents disease, and prepares for public health emergencies across a wide range of priorities — from expanding access to care and preventing chronic disease and disability to advancing behavioral health and climate action. MCPH also delivers essential services in communicable disease prevention and control, emergency preparedness, and emergency medical services, while remaining deeply committed to health equity.
At a time when public health infrastructure and science-based decision-making face unprecedented challenges nationwide, PHAB accreditation represents more than a credential; it reflects a public commitment to accountability, transparency, and the enduring value of a strong, trusted local public health system. For Marin residents, it affirms that their health and well-being are guided by evidence, equity, and expertise — now and for generations to come.