Rosenberg, Texas — Fort Bend County Health & Human Services (FBCHHS) today announced that it has been awarded national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). Established in 2007, PHAB is the non-profit organization that administers the national accreditation program, which aims to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong infrastructure, and innovation. This designation marks a significant milestone that recognizes FBCHHS’s long-standing commitment to quality, accountability, and community-centered public health services.
“This is a defining moment for our department and for Fort Bend County. Achieving PHAB accreditation validates the dedication, expertise, and tireless efforts of our team, and it underscores our unwavering commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and equitable public health services,” said Health Director and Local Health Authority Dr. Letosha Gale-Lowe, who has championed the accreditation process after taking over initial efforts spearheaded by the previous Health Director and Local Health Authority, Dr. Jacquelyn Minter and Innovation Specialist Carrie Rae. “This achievement reaffirms the strength, accountability and high standards that have long guided our health department.”
The PHAB accreditation process evaluates every aspect of a health department’s operations—from program delivery and performance management to community engagement and organizational effectiveness. To earn this designation, Fort Bend County HHS underwent a rigorous, multi-year process involving extensive preparation, a detailed application, and a comprehensive review by the PHAB evaluation committee. Meeting PHAB’s national standards affirms FBCHHS’s dedication to high-quality public health practice and continuous improvement.
“We are incredibly proud of HHS for reaching this milestone. Achieving PHAB accreditation not only strengthens public trust but also reaffirms Fort Bend County’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and exceptional service,” said Fort Bend County Judge KP George. “This accomplishment reflects the hard work and dedication of our public health professionals, who consistently go above and beyond to protect and enhance the well-being of our community.”
With this accreditation, Fort Bend County HHS joins a select group of health departments nationally recognized for meeting rigorous standards of operational and service excellence, becoming the 9th PHAB-accredited health department in the State of Texas. The process required deep collaboration across programs and divisions, further demonstrating the department’s dedication to serving residents effectively and efficiently.
“The PHAB process required deep reflection and a thorough evaluation of every program, service, and internal function,” said Office of Performance, Policy and Innovation (PPI) Director Dr. Shanna Doucet, PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE, CPHQ, LSSBB, who spearheaded the accreditation effort. “This achievement reaffirms the strength, accountability, and high standards that have long guided our health department. It underscores our readiness to continue meeting the evolving needs of our community—now and into the future.”
With this national recognition, Fort Bend County HHS strengthens its commitment to innovation, quality, and strong community partnerships, ensuring that public health services continue to adapt, advance, and meet the needs of residents.
FBCHHS extends its sincere appreciation to all Fort Bend County Commissioners—Vincent Morales (Precinct 1), Grady Prestage (Precinct 2), Andy Meyers (Precinct 3), and Dexter McCoy (Precinct 4)—for their ongoing leadership and support throughout the accreditation process. The department offers special thanks to Commissioners Grady Prestage and Dexter McCoy for their active participation in the PHAB accreditation site visits and their commitment to strengthening the county’s public health efforts.
