The Verdant Health Commission Monday announced that Superintendent Carl J. Zapora has decided to retire at the end of 2016, when his current contract is set to expire. Zapora has served as Superintendent since February 2011, when he was hired by the Board of Commissioners of Public Hospital District No. 2, Snohomish County, to oversee the development and launch of the hospital district’s new program, the Verdant Health Commission.

“We appreciate all of Carl’s great leadership in launching the Verdant Health Commission and are proud of the work he’s led to improve the health and wellness of the community in measureable ways,” said Fred Langer, president of the board of commissioners. “We wish him the best of luck in his retirement and future endeavors.”

“I’m very proud of taking Verdant from a conceptual idea to a well-respected leader in community health and wellness, while at the same time helping to ensure the strength of our community hospital,” Zapora said.

Accomplishments achieved during Zapora’s tenure at Verdant include:
· Developed and launched the Verdant Health Commission, which included creating the staffing structure and community program investment requirements and procedures.
· Oversaw investments in community health and wellness programming totaling $16.4 million from 2011 to the present.
· Opened the Verdant Community Wellness Center in January 2015, which has served more than 8,000 people through programs and activities.
· Oversaw the 2010 lease agreement with Swedish Health Services, which included the transition in operations of the hospital to Swedish and the development of the new $63 million emergency room.
· Improved financial stability of Verdant and the hospital district.
· Purchased the Kruger Clinic in December 2013, adding to the hospital district’s capital assets.

The Board of Commissioners will hire an executive search firm to conduct a nationwide search in 2016 for Zapora’s replacement.

Zapora, 62, also serves as a trustee at Edmonds Community College, a board member at Molina Healthcare of Washington and an advisory board member of the University of Washington Bothell. His retirement from Verdant will not impact these roles. Prior to joining Verdant, Zapora was President and CEO of United Way of Snohomish County.

Zapora resides in Edmonds with his wife, Cheryl Foster, a retired Ford Motor Company executive.