FORT RILEY, Kansas  –   Fort Riley's Public Health Department has achieved another historic milestone, becoming the first in the Department of Defense to earn re-accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board. The re-accreditation became effective August 28, 2025, cementing the team’s position as a trailblazer in military public health standards.

Fort Riley Public Health broke ground in 2018 when it became the first DOD department to earn PHAB accreditation. Now, the department has demonstrated its continued commitment to excellence by meeting the rigorous standards required for re-accreditation.

Accreditation is voluntary. No law requires a public health department to undergo such rigorous scrutiny. Yet Fort Riley’s team embraced the process as an opportunity to prove its quality, improve its systems, and earn the community’s trust.

“Accreditation provides a framework to build upon,” said LTC Jim Winstead, Fort Riley Public Health Department Chief. “It’s a tool for transparency and accountability. Maintaining PHAB accreditation demonstrates our commitment to identifying areas for improvement and partnering to improve outcomes for Soldiers, Families, and civilians.”

Preparing for reaccreditation was no small feat. Military rotations, leadership changes, and deployments meant the team had to rebuild much of its documentation from the ground up.

“Our department worked together to balance the daily mission of public health with the extensive documentation required,” said Heather Myers, Accreditation Coordinator. “The experience strengthened our systems and reinforced the importance of shared ownership of accreditation activities.”

Rather than a one-time achievement, the reaccreditation process serves as a catalyst for ongoing improvement. Jennifer Avantagiato, Chief of Occupational Health, highlighted how the process drives continuous enhancement.

"Through annual reporting, updated assessments and plans, and evidence of a strong performance management and quality improvement culture, Fort Riley DPH will show how we are adapting to community needs, strengthening partnerships, and building workforce capacity,” said Avantagiato.

The external validation process mirrors the way military units undergo evaluation to ensure the organization remains prepared to face future challenges. Just as the 1st Infantry Division undergoes rigorous assessments, the public health department's accreditation ensures it can adapt and respond to evolving health threats.

The 1st Infantry Division, the oldest continuously serving active-duty division in the U.S. Army, is strategically positioned in the center of the United States to respond to threats from any direction. The Public Health Department, situated at the heart of the 1ID footprint, carries forward this tradition of readiness.

The reaccreditation process also reaffirmed Fort Riley’s role as a leader within the Department of Defense.

"Fort Riley Public Health was the first in all of DOD to recognize the importance and significance of striving to achieve more for excellence," LTC Winstead said. “We lead the DOD to ensure the 1ID community is prepared for any challenge.”

The accreditation standards have led to concrete improvements across the department. MAJ William Nuessle, Chief of Environmental Health, noted significant enhancement in the Project Management and Quality Improvement domain.

“I feel we didn't have the strongest program (in Project Management),” said Nuessle, “but since having to delve deep into it throughout the reaccreditation process, I feel my team and I have a much better understanding of the process and have improved how we track and report things internally already."

MAJ Grace Tua, who helped lead the re-accreditation effort before transferring to Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, pointed to improvements in the Community Health Assessment process. The accreditation standards led the department to engage more deliberately with community members, gather survey data, and conduct stakeholder meetings to develop an assessment of Fort Riley's health needs.

“Conforming to accreditation standards fostered a culture of accountability and transparency,” Tua said. “That increased trust among the community members and stakeholders during this process.”

The re-accreditation process has equipped Fort Riley's Public Health Department with a roadmap for the next five years. Through the development of a comprehensive Strategic Plan, the department has created an adaptable framework that can adjust to the ever-changing needs of the community and respond to unforeseen future threats.

"Every 2-3 years, a Community Strengths and Themes Assessment is conducted through surveys," said LTC Winstead. "Based on results and analysis, a Community Health Assessment is developed. This guides us to build the Community Health Improvement Plan to develop the Strategic Plan."

The re-accreditation cycle has provided valuable lessons that will shape the department's future work. The team recognized that continuity and thorough documentation form the foundation for smoother future accreditation processes.

Fort Riley Public Health’s reaccreditation is more than a milestone; it’s a commitment to sustain high-quality, transparent, and responsive services that protect the installation’s most valuable asset—its people.

More information about Fort Riley's public health programs and resources can be found at https://irwin.tricare.mil/Health-Services/Preventive-Care/Public-Health.