Stephen M. Shortell, the Dean of the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, gives a talk in Sutter Creek to local doctors and community leaders. Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch

"Healthier lives in a safer world."

That's the slogan for the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health. As the school continues to expand that mission statement with programs and infrastructure, Amador's community leaders are hoping to partner up with it so locals can find educational opportunities and careers in the health care industry.

On Sept. 13, county and state officials met in Sutter Creek with the Dean of UC Berkeley's School of Public Health, Stephen M. Shortell. The representatives included Amador County Supervisor John Plasse, Amador Public Health Officer Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County Unified School District Superintendent Dick Glock, as well as representatives from Sutter Amador Hospital, Volcano Telephone and staffers for Sen. Dave Cox, Congressman Dan Lungren and Congresswoman Alyson Huber. Doctors Alan Nakanishi and Mohammed Siddiqui were also present. The event was hosted by local doctor Arnold Zeiderman.

"It was a pretty big cross-section of people," Hartmann recalled. "There was a lot of potential for pooling resources and working together in the interest of public health."

The meeting had two basic goals. The first was to foster support for Amador County being a model when UC Berkeley begins assessing the public health needs for rural communities. The second was to explore the possibility of bringing "distance education," or online courses, from the school to Amador so that graduating high school students and other adults could work toward building careers without moving away.

Hartmann said that, in terms of the first goal, positive developments have already come from the meeting.

"It wasn't even two weeks ago and we've had some communication with both UC Berkeley and UC Davis Schools of Public Health on specialized training for Amador County's public health staff," Hartmann said. "We've been seeing about getting some very particular courses that would really assist us in doing our jobs. I would say the meeting has already opened some doors."

Hartmann addressed the second goal as well, adding, "I think any time you're talking about the possibility of career training for young people and adults in this area it's a good thing. The public health field certainly needs new people coming into it - and there's a need right here in our community."

Plasse, who sits on the Amador Community College Foundation, felt there was potential for Amador teaming up with UC Berkeley.

"We've been working hard to bring learning opportunities to our residents and this is something that might dovetail into those goals," said Plasse, who recently had talks with Huber about searching for grant money in Washington, D.C. to help Amador with higher education. "What she and I talked about was trying to find some funds to move the Amador Learning Center into the Health and Human Services building. If that were to happen, we'd have a location with high-speed Internet and advanced technology where we could host more community college courses through Cosumnes River and also the types of courses that UC Berkeley School of Public Health is talking about."

Plasse added, "Plus, our Public Health Department is already in that building, and they'd be looking to take tailored courses from UC Berkeley. So it could end up being something that benefits everyone."

Zeiderman was also hopeful the meeting could create new paths in education. "Obviously, it's very hard for young people to stay here in Amador County, which is concerning to myself and many others," Zeiderman remarked. "Using broadband technology to team up with a prestigious institute like Berkeley's School of Public Health in order to offer classes could be a real benefit."

Zeiderman said that ACUSD's superintendent has expressed strong support for bringing awareness to local high school students if such classes materialize.

"Berkeley has grants to assess public health needs around the state and it's also looking to expand its presence," Zeiderman went on. "I think in both cases Amador County could be a great model for how to accomplish those goals in a rural community. Considering there seems to be legislative interest and bipartisan support, I think it could be a perfect fit."