The Joint Board of Health of Cowley County announced the retirement of Health Dept. Administrator and Public Health Officer Tom Langer, effective at the end of January.
Joint board Chairman Dr. John Seitz thanked Langer for his service, noting his impact on the community.
“We thank Tom for his decade of service to the community,” Seitz said. “The Joint Board of Health and the Health Department will certainly feel his absence.”
Reflecting on his time in Cowley County, Langer said his goal was to lead the City-Cowley County Health Department professionally while highlighting the importance of public health.
“When I first started at the City-Cowley County Health Department, my goal was to lead the organization in a professional manner and to show the community just how valuable public health truly is,” Langer said.
Langer has served as administrator and public health officer for more than 10 years, including leading the department through the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead, he said he is proud of the department’s progress.
“I wanted to leave this organization in better shape than I found it, and I am certainly proud of the work that the Health Department has done and is doing in the community,” he said.
As he prepares for retirement, Langer expressed gratitude to colleagues and the community.
“I’d like to tip my hat to everyone I worked with in Cowley County and to the staff of the Health Department,” he said.
Langer plans to remain in Cowley County following his retirement.
“Though my role will be changing, I will be very much involved in helping this community become the best and healthiest that it can be,” he said.
A come-and-go retirement reception for Langer is scheduled for Jan. 30 at Baden Square from 4 to 6 p.m.
The Joint Board of Health has conducted a search for a new administrator and public health officer. Additional information is expected to be released in the coming days.