At its Wednesday, July 26, board meeting, Verdant Health Commissioners passed a unanimous resolution to rename the Verdant-owned Kruger Medical Building as the Frederick P. Langer building.
The building is located at 21600 Highway 99 in Edmonds.
The decision posthumously recognizes Fred Langer, a former member of the board of commissioners for Public Hospital District No. 2, Snohomish County, which operates as the Verdant Health Commission. Langer died Dec. 17, 2021 after a three-year battle with cancer.
Langer had 24 years of distinguished service that began as a commissioner in 1997 for then-Stevens Hospital. He was instrumental in negotiating the lease of the hospital to the Swedish Healthcare system and the formation of the Verdant Health Commission. Since Verdant’s inception in 2011, more than $80 million has been invested into health programs and services for South Snohomish County residents.
“The Verdant Health Commission came to be because of the leadership of Commissioner Langer and his ability to find consensus and incorporate the ideas of his fellow commissioners,” said Board President Dr. Jim Distelhorst. “We are committed to continuing the great work that he envisioned – ensuring that all residents in our community have access to health care.”
In 2024, the Verdant Commissioners will invest more than $7 million to renovate the interior and exterior of the Kruger Medical Building. The building will be renamed the Langer building at the completion of the remodel.
The Verdant Commission does a great job of promoting the health of the residents in the area of south county covered by Public Hospital District #2. Since they have sufficient funds to buy buildings, I question the need to continue to collect property taxes from residents living in the geographic area covered by Public Hospital District 2.
I am sad to hear this news. I worked for Dr Kruger. He was a very special man. I hope he has not been forgotten. I worked in the Kruger Clinic from the first days the clinic was opened. Why does our society do away with history. It reminds me of the other things going on in the USA. It makes me think about tearing down statues that have been removed and renaming other buildings that honor people of our history. I just don’t get it!
Susan:
I agree 100% with you comments. Fred Langer deserves to be honored, but let’s not do it to the detriment of an other worthy person.
Verdant needs to reveal the rationale for their flawed decision.