Dr. Olivia Kasirye learned about the importance of public health programs while studying medicine in her native country of Uganda. Such programs were reduced under President Idi Amin in the 1970s, she said, and communicable diseases went up.

Kasirye could soon assume the role of protecting public health with reduced resources in Sacramento County. The county's top executive has recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve her Tuesday as the county's public health officer.

The county has lost nearly half of its public health staff in recent years, and faces a number of problems, such as two communities – Oak Park and Del Paso Heights – with some of the highest infant mortality rates in the state.

Kasirye said she's up for the challenge. She has worked as public health officer in El Dorado County since August 2009, and before that, held posts under Sacramento County's last public health officer, Dr. Glennah Trochet, whom she calls a mentor.

What are the responsibilities of the public health officer?

"The public health officer is responsible for the public health programs. In Sacramento County, we are responsible for communicable diseases. We have programs for maternal and child health. We are responsible for emergency preparedness. Most people remember our efforts on the H1N1 virus. We got the vaccine out for that."

These are tough times to run a government department. Budgets have been slashed, including those for public health in Sacramento County. Why would you want such a job?

"What attracts me to public health is working with the community. I do acknowledge there are problems. It will be important to do strategic planning. We must work with the community to prioritize. At one point, this will come to an end – the budget cuts. I want to have long-term goals so we can move forward when that does happen."

What will your top priorities be in the meantime?

"I want to meet with communities to find out what their priorities are. But I have some interests, based in part on data I reviewed. I want to look at the disparities with obesity, infant mortality and sexually transmitted diseases. There are no easy answers to issues like these. But I want to get people involved in the program to help them find solutions."

When Dr. Trochet announced her retirement last year, she said she had grown frustrated by budget cuts. Her staff worked excessively long hours and that wasn't sustainable. She didn't know how to tell people no when they needed help. Do you?

"I understand what she means. I respect her. She is one of my mentors and she trained me. It can be really hard. We have to prioritize. We have to maximize the resources we have. We have to cross-train. We definitely can't do everything."

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Call The Bee's Brad Branan, (916) 321-1065. Follow him on Twitter @BradB_at_SacBee.

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