Kootenai Health hires former legislator

COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai Health has hired former Idaho legislator Paul Amador as a government affairs and community relations manager.

Amador will work with legislators and community partners “to support Kootenai Health’s mission and advance health care policies that benefit patients and the broader region,” according to a news release.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to work with such an important organization,” Amador said Friday. 

Amador represented District 4 in the Idaho House of Representatives from 2016 to 2022, where he worked on issues affecting health care, education and economic development. Most recently, he was regional director for Blue Cross of Idaho from 2022 to 2025.

Amador said his new position provides opportunities to build partnerships with local leaders that help create a healthy community for all. 

“It’s about the amazing work that’s already taking place at Kootenai Health and being able to share that with our elected officials and our community,” he said. 

Now he brings his almost two decades of experience in public service, health care advocacy and higher education to Kootenai Health. 

“Paul brings a strong understanding of both health care and public policy, along with deep relationships across Idaho,” said Jamie Smith, CEO of Kootenai Health. “His experience and perspective will be a valuable asset as we continue to work with policymakers and community leaders on issues important to the health of our region.” 

Amador holds a doctorate in education leadership and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from California State University, Fresno.