FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-04)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | CELL 402-580-9495 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

February 6, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Director Scott R. Frakes announced that NDCS Deputy Director for Health Services Dr. Harbans Deol has been appointed chairperson of the American Correctional Association (ACA) Health Care Committee.  Each of the 50 states is represented on this committee, which sets the standard for health care in American prisons.   

“As chairperson, Dr. Deol will have a principal role in guiding the direction and practice of corrections health care nationwide. This will put NDCS at the leading edge of corrections health care, providing quality services to incarcerated individuals,” said Director Frakes. “He will ensure we meet our mandate to provide the community level of care, while carefully managing the agency’s health care costs.”   

The concept of correctional health care has continued to advance, in recognition of the unique needs of the corrections population. The goal of ACA health care standards is to ensure high quality health care programs and provide agencies with a self–monitoring system that would give clinical and correctional managers usable information for continuous success. 

James Gondles, executive director of ACA, said of Dr. Deol, “He is well-respected and highly regarded by his peers and has been an active member of the Coalition for Correctional Health Authorities (CCHA) for many years.  Lannette Linthicum, ACA’s 105th president, recognized his abilities and appointed him as the ACA Health Care Committee chairperson.”

Dr. Deol has also been selected as one of eight CCHA members who will provide training to ‘new’ health authorities in 56 corrections jurisdictions. He will deliver insight and guidance on executive leadership and the scope and delivery of health services as well as mentor new members.

Dr. Deol is the NDCS deputy director for health services and serves as the agency’s chief medical officer. 

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