The Board of Commissioners of the Verdant Health Commission has announced its intent to hire Robin Fenn, Ph.D., LICSW, as Superintendent of Verdant. It will take action to formally appoint Fenn during its regular meeting on Dec. 14, 2016.
Fenn has served the Snohomish County Department of Human Services since 2010, most recently as the Research Manager beginning in 2013. She has a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Public Affairs as well as a Master of Science in Social Work, and this range of experience will serve her well upon her expected appointment, said Board President Fred Langer.
“Speaking on behalf of the board, we are thrilled at the prospect of having Dr. Robin Fenn become our next superintendent,” Langer said. “Robin is an established, enthusiastic professional who already understands a large portion of our community, has worked successfully with our organization in the past, and has the vision and energy to take us to the next level.”
In her role with Snohomish County, Fenn has conducted evaluation and research studies for divisions within the Human Services Department, other county departments, and community partners. She served on the executive team for county-wide strategic planning initiatives, supervised and managed all research staff, worked collaboratively with County-wide first responders to develop and implement programs aimed at improving the health of frequent utilizers of the crisis systems, designed and conducted in-depth evaluations of programs impacting the social determinants of health, among many other areas of responsibility.
Prior to joining Snohomish County Human Services, she held positions including Director of Institutional Effectiveness as Bastyr University in Kenmore, Wash., and Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences at Northeastern Ohio Universities, College of Medicine in Rootstown, Ohio.
Fenn will replace current Superintendent Carl Zapora, who is retiring at the end of 2016 and has led Verdant since the program launched in 2011.
“Verdant Health Commission has a reputation in the County for its leadership, collaboration and innovation,” Fenn said. “I am honored to be chosen to build upon the strong work of Carl Zapora and his team and am excited for the opportunity to serve in this role. It is an amazing organization with an incredible staff and Board, and I look forward to joining them.”
Fenn’s expected appointment as superintendent includes leading the Verdant Health Commission and Public Hospital District No. 2, Snohomish County, and providing oversight of the hospital district’s 30-year lease agreement with Swedish Health Services to manage its community hospital, Swedish Edmonds.
To date in 2016, Verdant has invested approximately $6.4 million in community health and wellness programs, focusing on prevention, education, and access to health care services focused on supporting the residents of South Snohomish County. In addition to the superintendent role, Verdant has 6 employees.
About the Verdant Health Commission:
The Verdant Health Commission funds a wide range of programs that empower people in South Snohomish County to make healthy decisions and get the care they need to stay well. For nearly half a century, we served the health needs of our community by managing the local community hospital. We are now focused on investing in innovative programs that will make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of South Snohomish County residents, with many free or low-cost education and prevention classes taking place at the Verdant Community Wellness Center in Lynnwood.