Commissioners
Verdant Health Commission is governed by a board of five commissioners, each elected for a term of six years by the registered voters in Public Hospital District No. 2, Snohomish County. The terms of the commissioners are staggered to expire in alternate years.
- Fred P. Langer, RN, Esq., President
Mr. Langer is a nurse attorney whose educational credentials include a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Utah and a B.S. in Health Planning & Administration from Pennsylvania State University, as well as a Juris Doctor (cum laude) at Seattle University. He has two sons who were born at Stevens Hospital. Mr. Langer is the managing partner of the law firm of Nelson Blair Langer Engle, PLLC. He is currently serving his fourth term, which will expire in 2021. - Deana Knutsen, Secretary
Ms. Knutsen has lived in the community for more than 20 years and her three children were born at Stevens Hospital. She has been chair of the Washington Community Action Network and has had a successful track record of advocacy for patients’ rights and affordable, high quality health care. She was instrumental in winning passage of a bill of rights for nursing home patients in Washington. At the national level, she serves as treasurer for the Alliance for a Just Society and board member of USAction. Her education is a BA, University of Washington 1980. Ms. Knutsen is serving her third term, which will expire in 2017. - Bob Knowles, MemberMr. Knowles is a resident of Brier and has a B.S. in Exercise Science from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY and an M.A. in Exercise Physiology from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. From 1997 to 2010, he served at Stevens Hospital and then Swedish/Edmonds in various capacities, most recently as Director of Education and Director Preventive Care. He currently works in the disease management and population health industry. Mr. Knowles has volunteered for many area organizations. Originally elected to complete the remaining two years of a vacated position on the Board of Commissioners, he is now serving his first full term, which expires in 2019.
- Bruce Williams, MD, FACP, Member
Dr. Bruce Williams is a board certified physician and Fellow of the American College of Physicians who practices internal medicine in Edmonds. Dr. Williams has been a member of the National Health Service Corps, U.S. Public Health Service, which helps to expand access to health services and improve the health of people who live in urban and rural areas where health care is scarce. In addition, he worked for the Harvard Community Health Plan and was on the clinical faculty of Harvard Medical School in Boston. Closer to home, Dr. Williams served on the Edmonds School Board for 10 years and chaired the Stevens Physician Hospital Organization (PHO) from 1992-1997. Dr. Williams is serving his second term, which will expire in 2021. - Karianna Wilson, Member
Ms. Wilson was elected to the commission in November 2011 and has been active in healthcare for more than 15 years. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and a Masters in Health Administration (MHA) from the University of Washington. She is currently CEO of Wilson Strategic Communications and was previously with Northwest Physicians Network and, prior to that, Premera Blue Cross. An Edmonds resident, she is a wife and mother of three children, and she volunteers as a board member for PEPS (Program for Early Parental Support). Ms. Wilson is serving her first term, which will expire in 2017.