Dr. Carissa Etienne was today named Regional Director for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO) by the WHO Executive Board, which is holding its 132nd session this week in Geneva.
She was nominated for that position by the Regional Committee for the Americas in September 2012 and will take up her appointment for a five-year term on February 1, 2013.
Dr. Etienne was elected Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) by the countries of the Americas on September 19, 2012 during the 28th Pan American Sanitary Conference.
PAHO serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of WHO (WHO/AMRO).
The Regional Office for the Americas comprises 38 Member States stretching from the Arctic to the Tierra del Fuego. Puerto Rico is an Associate Member, while Spain and Portugal are Observer States in the Region.
Dr. Etienne will begin her five-year term as PAHO Director and WHO Regional Director on February 1.
“I believe strongly that good health is rooted in equity, universality, solidarity and inclusiveness,” she said in her acceptance speech. “I have learned that Universal Health Coverage is not only the best way to improve the health of every citizen in a country – but that it is entirely feasible.”
From 2003-2008, Dr Etienne served as Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organization, WHO’s Regional Office for the Americas, and from 2008-2012 she was Assistant Director-General, Health Systems and Services, at WHO headquarters in Geneva.
She holds degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of the West Indies as well as a master’s in community health and an honorary diploma in public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Dr. Etienne is well deserving of this position. We wish you the best as you continue to accept challenges and show dedication to your field of medicine brilliantly. God’s Blessing, Coz.
Congratulations doc, all the best in your work…
showers of blessings to you DOC,You have and continue to make your print and Dominica’s.
congrats doc. you were always a humble person.. its a good thing that great news came out before skerrit that say he give you that job
Congratulations my friend. You deserve it. God bless you. Do your best.
hope the same GOD will be on her mind so that she will not believe that buggery and gay rights are human right.
Yes, she truly makes us proud. Congratulations and do your best doc.
Who cares. How is this going to benefit Dominica. Congrats to the Doc anyway.
Papa U are old enough to know better than to write S-I – on this blog. She can direct things in the area of health to benefit the region DA included Papa if you did not know before you know now.That was on the last page of a D/can nespaper back when i was a little bite of buoy.
How is it going to benefit Dominica? A child growing up in Salisbury or Soufriere or any other community will read this and know that they can achieve anything with hard work, even if they were born in a small country.
It’s a new yr Papa nuh with the backwardness why don’t youask what your rouge gov’t and unscrupulos lairs/lawyers are doing in our democracy?
It a new yr new attitude is desired so if you did not make resolutions normally, make one for your first time. educate urself this year.
Begin now after reading this post.Tomorrow morning u ‘d have made a first step one step for Papa’s advancement in 2013. it a funny number yr but it may just turn out to be a good one for you papa. Go for it down withthe negative energy.
Good luck, get out of ignorance it’s a retrogressive attitude.
Congrats once again Doc. Good things happen to good people. Continue to represent yourself, your family and your country. We know this position of PAHO Director is not an easy one but we shall continue to pray for you. All the best!
Congratulations Dr. Etienne.
All of Dominica and Dominicans at home and abroad can be proud of this wonderful achievement. Congratulations Dr. Etteine.
I am looking forward to your leadership in improving health for people in the region irrespective of economic or social standing. Health is truly rooted in social justice.
Dr. Clemon George, UOIT
We knew it was coming but still, this is great news and a welcome relief from all the shenanigans going on at home. Thank you Dr. Etienne, your achievements confirm that ethics do matter and honourable achievemnts are possible and we draw strength and hope from that. Very best wishes. You are doing us proud.
Why wasn’t Dr Ettiene named Person of the Year????
Every young girl and boy need to read about her…lets put this in our civics curriculum
Admin: The Sun newspaper did name her Person of the Year.
I meant by DNO…sorry
A very well deserve position for the most suitable person ever.
I trust you will fulfill all your obligations as always. Looking forward to meeting you at your next conference soon
from your very good friend.