Proceeding the protracted and greatly anticipated opening of Sonoma West Medical Center, our local hospital has broadened its aid far beyond the Sebastopol Community. Fully embracing modern technological advances, Sonoma West and the Sebastopol Sunrise Rotary Club are collaborating in pursuance of introducing Telemedicine Training at a local and international level. This particular seminar is intended to establish Telemedicine in Yenagoa, Nigeria for the sake of providing underserved individuals with increased access to quality medical attention.

Between August 22 and September 2 in Sebastopol, correspondents from Nigeria held a meeting with local doctors regarding this partnership project. Under the guidance of the Nigerian princess Dr. Frances Kemelagha, they hopped from one hospital to another and observed where telemedicine had been integrated. They had the unique chance to partake in Rotarian fellowship and cultural enrichment activities. With this a hands-on approach, these individuals, both local and foreign, shared inspiration and ideas spanning the large diversity between them.

Telemedicine is a system in which medical professionals can communicate face to face, despite great distances, in order to conduct healthcare in poverty induced or underdeveloped communities and countries which are lacking in terms of medical expertise. This proves conducive, as patients are treated locally, without the expected cost of time and money when traveling to larger, populous cities where a high concentration of specialists is colloquial to such urban settings. Put in concise terms, Telemedicine addresses the rampant issue of unequal distribution of healthcare.

Apart from positive outcomes in distant regions, there remain a handful of other beneficiaries in closer proximity. One of the most prominent is the expansion of staff. This creates a considerable rise in job opportunities, which will repeatedly present themselves as the program strengthens. Now that Sonoma West has rooted itself in our community, it is with high hopes that this medical care provider spreads its branches to a myriad of other countries, in order to grow an international Sebastopol.