Medical News
Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) has successfully maintained its national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), reaffirming its commitment to delivering high-quality public health services and protecting the health of Ventura County residents.
The recognition follows PHAB’s recent announcement honoring 14 health departments nationwide that achieved accreditation or reaccreditation. Ventura County was the first local health department in California to earn PHAB accreditation in 2014 and remains a leader in public health performance and quality improvement. Currently, 29 of California’s 61 local health departments hold PHAB accreditation.
By maintaining accreditation for another five years, VCPH has demonstrated that it continues to meet or exceed national standards for public health practice while advancing efforts to improve community health outcomes.
PHAB, a nonprofit organization supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, promotes excellence in public health through accreditation standards focused on performance improvement, strong infrastructure, and innovation.
“We are honored to once again be recognized for meeting rigorous national standards that strengthen our effectiveness and support a culture of continuous quality improvement,” said Public Health Director Rigoberto Vargas. “Maintaining accreditation reinforces our commitment to ensuring that the services we provide remain responsive, high quality, and aligned with the evolving needs of our residents.”
Ventura County Public Health provides a wide range of programs and services that protect health, prevent disease, and support community well-being. These efforts include emergency preparedness and response, communicable disease control, maternal and child health programs, chronic disease prevention, health education, community outreach, and initiatives designed to advance health equity throughout the county.
PHAB President and CEO Dr. Joneigh Khaldun praised the achievement, noting that maintaining accreditation reflects an ongoing commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in serving local communities.
Often described as the backbone of the public health system, local health departments play a critical role in protecting and promoting health, preventing disease and injury, and responding to public health challenges. PHAB accreditation recognizes agencies that voluntarily undergo a rigorous peer-review process to strengthen performance and improve the services they provide.
Ventura County Public Health works to protect and promote the health and well-being of all residents through programs and services that support safe, healthy communities where people can live, work, learn, and play. https://hca.venturacounty.gov/public-health.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
VCMC Unveils Advanced Breast Health Center
Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) recently hosted a special dedication ceremony celebrating the opening of its new Breast Health Center.
This milestone marks a major advancement in expanding access to high-quality breast imaging and diagnostic services for Ventura County residents. The project was made possible through a $2,034,969 RISE grant awarded by Gold Coast Health Plan, supporting transformative improvements at the region’s critical safety-net hospital.
“Grant opportunities like this from Gold Coast Health Plan are especially important because they allow for a targeted collaboration where our vision to provide enhanced breast health services can be realized for a community that deserves access to high quality health care,” said Matt McGill, Director of Imaging Services.
The new Breast Health Center reflects a shared commitment to health equity, early detection, and patient-centered care.
“We are proud that our investment in VCMC’s Breast Health Center will help remove barriers to breast cancer screenings for Medi-Cal members and our community,” said Dr. Felix Nuñez, Gold Coast Health Plan’s chief executive officer. “Breast cancer remains the most pervasive form of cancer among women, and we believe that every woman deserves a fair chance at early detection.”
Enhancements include expanded mammography hours with evening and weekend appointments, increased screening capacity to reduce wait times, and dedicated patient navigation support from arrival through appointment completion.
“Gold Coast Health Plan’s RISE grants were designed to strengthen health care access for Medi-Cal members throughout Ventura County,” said Erik Cho, Gold Coast Health Plan’s chief policy and program officer. “Through our investment in the Breast Health Center at VCMC, women in our community will benefit from advanced technology, increased capacity, and reduced wait times – all of which will lead to improved health outcomes.”
The center also introduces advanced imaging technology and facility upgrades, including:
- A second mammography machine equipped with AI-assisted breast density assessment software
- Expanded diagnostic ultrasound capabilities
- A state-of-the-art stereotactic biopsy table and specimen imaging technology to improve biopsy efficiency
- Renovated and repurposed spaces designed to create a more welcoming, modern, and patient-centered environment
These improvements are expected to significantly increase screening capacity and improve early detection rates, particularly among historically underserved populations throughout Ventura County.
Members of the media are invited to attend the dedication ceremony and learn more about how this investment is strengthening access to compassionate, high-quality health care in our community. www.mycmh.org/locations/community-memorial-breast-center.
