Political parties congratulate Dr. Carissa Etienne

PAHO Director-elect Dr. Carissa Etienne

The island’s three political parties have joined voices in congratulating Dr. Carissa Etienne on her election as Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Dr. Etienne, who is from the village of Massacre, was elected on Wednesday by PAHO Member States during the 28th Pan American Sanitary Conference in Washington DC.

“On behalf of the United Workers Party I congratulate Dr. Etienne on her achievement,” Political Leader of the UWP, Edison James, told Dominica News Online. “I am sure she will draw on her years of experience in medicine and administration in Dominica and the World Health Organization to deliver in her new position.”

He said the UWP looks forward to a successful 5-year tenure for Dr. Etienne in the top PAHO position.

He also pointed out that she was elected on her abilities and not necessarily the politics involved in the entire voting process. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had said in congratulatory comments following Dr. Etienne’s election, that it was a sign that his administration’s foreign policy is working and of the admiration and influence that the government of Dominica has in the international and regional communities.

In a release, the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) congratulated Dr. Etienne saying her wealth of experience will lead to success in her job.

“Dr. Etienne’s wealth of expertise, experience and exposure in the field of health care over the last thirty years at the local, national, regional and international levels augurs well for her success as Head of one of the world’s leading health organizations,” the DFP said in a release.

The DFP also congratulated the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, CARICOM and other countries in the International Community that supported Dr. Etienne’s candidacy and was confident of her capacity and commitment to contribute to the promotion and development of health care at the highest international level.  “We extend congratulations to her family and all those in Dominica and elsewhere who prayed for her success and wish her well in her new post,” the DFP said.

The Dominica Labour Party also extended its congratulation to Dr. Etienne on her elevation to her new post.

“Dr. Etienne’s election to the top position of this hemispheric body, which is the oldest international organization focusing on public health, brings tremendous pride to all Dominicans and should therefore serve as a unifying moment for all of us,” the DLP said in a release. “On the eve of the celebration of the 34th anniversary of our political Independence and with a view to further cementing our bonds of nationhood, the Dominica Labour Party calls on all patriots and patriotic organizations to do the same.”

The DLP also congratulated the government and all organizations that played a role in securing the necessary votes for Dr. Etienne’s election.

Dr. Etienne will begin her five-year mandate on February 1, 2013 replacing Dr. Mirta Roses Periago who has been PAHO’s Director since February 1, 2003.

See video below of the voting and acceptance speech of Dr. Etienne.

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38 Comments

  1. Justice and Truth
    September 24, 2012

    Congratulations Carissa. You deserved this appointment. You really won on your credentials, knowledge and expertise. May God bless you on this significant undertaking and during your tenure.

  2. Anonymous
    September 23, 2012

    Congratulations Doc you make your countrymen and women proud and reiterate the fact that the sky is the limit if we trust God and allow Him to take us places.
    God Bless You and God bless Dominica

  3. lisa
    September 23, 2012

    I remember you testified that you would always say the Jabez prayer when you were just a doctor in Dominica. And its amazing how God has answered your prayer and enlarged your territory. May we always remember to be like Jabez and pray without ceasing just the way you did. Congratulations to you. God’s glory was revealed.

  4. Grand Bayrian
    September 22, 2012

    Congratulation Dr.Carissa Etienne. Dominica’s President in waiting. How long shalll we wait to have a woman president of the nature isle?…

  5. NY
    September 22, 2012

    Congratulations. From your C O R family

    • nim
      September 23, 2012

      cor 2 and 4

  6. LIKE OR DISLIKE
    September 22, 2012

    DFP CONGRATULATED THE GOVERNMENT for its support in Dr.Ettienne success; but Edison(UWP) had the opposite to say about the Government.See the difference!..Supprise he didnt say she is..ILLEGAL..and the matter needs to go to court.

    • j
      September 23, 2012

      DLP and Skerrit failed to congratulate Dr. Etienne but instead congratulated themselves for their foreign policy and influence at work. Which one is worse off? The government did not need to be congratulated sinse they ran ahead and congratulated themselves.
      Since you are so concerned about the success of Dr. Ettienne and the role the government played, how do feel about the manner another Doctor this time Dr. ferrarah was treated by the same government that deserves to be congratulated for assisting Dr. ettiene? Also, which one would better help our ecconomy…a medical school owened by a local doctor which would definitely contribute to our national ecconomy or the well expected role they played in assisting Dr. Etienne get a job which will only benifit her pocket? Like or Dislike>

    • Views Expressed
      September 24, 2012

      Like or dislike: This is a ridiculus and uoiut of touched comment. The UWP did exclusively and unreservedly congratukated Dr.Ettiene. Both the congratulatory message from UWP and DFP were very good.
      Stop rying to spread mepuis…

  7. Anonymous
    September 22, 2012

    I love Dr. Etiennes’s speech. It is a testiment of how she is prepared to assume the role as PAHO’s top person. This job is going to be a challenge because of all the health issues that is plaquing the world today. With our support and that of the world she is going to do her best in her respected field. Let us all pray for her success. May the good lord guide and shine his light upon her.

  8. j
    September 22, 2012

    am happy to know that mr james is saying something really positive.

  9. Anonymous
    September 22, 2012

    I love Dr. Etienne’s speech. It is an indication of how she is ready to assume her role as PAHO’s top person. May the good lord shine his light upon her as the eyes the world will be focused on her for solutions with regards to health issues.

  10. September 22, 2012

    O LORD!!why can’t WE say; congratulation Dr.Carissa Etienne on your achievement,may God Bless and guide you in your new position.
    why there must be “political pork” attached to a clean international apointment.
    it seems Dominica’s politics is “efime”,they all want to jump on anything for milage.way papa.

  11. ma
    September 22, 2012

    congrats doc, you make us proud , god bless you goodluck Dominican women have the power, let us not forget miss charles she was great

  12. Desmond
    September 21, 2012

    great stuff coming from my Country, there are those who make us ashame but boy those who make us proud do it sweet.Doc you set a very high bar

  13. T mama
    September 21, 2012

    Doc is such a nice and pleasant lady, and certainly her intelligence and accomplishments and her faith has made her climb this ladder of success…congrats to you and your family, you have made us in Dominica very proud….

  14. September 21, 2012

    Congratulations to you Mr. PM! Dr. Etienne did not get this job because of her experience, expertise and exposure as UWP and DFP are telling us. It’s ALL because of MIGHTY Skeritt she got it.

    I observe you and the DLP (Dominica Lazy Party) attempted to congratulate de doc for her new position but instead all you congratulated yourself and the party for her success. In your congratulatory message, you said nothing about the gifts and abilities of the doctor, but you quickly turned it into a congratulatory message of your ability to influence the world and region. SA QUE BLADGEER!
    Since you did not highlight the skills of doc Etienne and yet you asked the nation to use her success to be united, and you called on all patriots and patriotic organizations to do the same, it is very clear that you want all of us to give you a thumbs up and ignore the skills of doc Etienne. So as a patriotic Dominican, let me say all praise, glory, and honour to Skerrit. He alone could make her get that job but please remember Nebuchadnazzar!

    • Anonymous
      September 24, 2012

      Is Praise he like. We know d$%*)well if PM and the Min of health did not lobby, there would be a problem. The Doc said so herself. Why are we so biased? But again some of us wear our ignorance like a badge of honour

    • Anonymous
      September 24, 2012

      Is Praise he like, you know well that a lot of lobbying had to be done. The Doc said so herself, so what’s your stress. But again some of us continue to wear our ignorance like a badge of honor. OR IS WICKED WE WICKED

  15. The truth offends
    September 21, 2012

    Skerrit puts partsan politics in everything; yet he wants it to serve as a unifying moment for all of us.
    If somebody dies he plays politics with the funeral. If he unblocks a drain, he and his low minded DLP team want credit. A person gets a job he takes the credit.
    While both UWP and DFP boasted of wealth of experience, expertise, and exposure in the field of health, a low thinking Pm and backward minded DLP, is implying that it is not her experiece, expertise, or exposure in the field of heath that got her the job but saw it as a sign that his administration’s foreign policy is working and the influence of his government in the international and regional communities, caused Dr. Etienne to get that position. What arrogance that! How do you expect to unite the country with such arrogance?
    As government in power, we do expect you to play a role in the success of our citizens but it is arrogance and low self esteem that will seek such.
    So congrats to you doctor for your many years of hard work that is finally paying off, and as a Dominica, we are all very proud of you. If it had not been for your experience you sure would not have landed this job and Skerrit and his party sure would not be able to give it to you.

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      September 21, 2012

      You are so correct.

    • anonymous2
      September 22, 2012

      They didn’t make the woman. The woman made herself.
      However, one can be sure that in the political realm Mr. Skerrit did have a role.

    • Anonymous
      September 22, 2012

      i know,politics in everything,geez!

    • true domincan
      September 22, 2012

      congratulate the man for fighting and rallying with the doctor. that is what we want for dominca. plese stop aguing and beating yourself.

  16. September 21, 2012

    congratualation on your new position aunty :-D

    • Marlpardee
      September 21, 2012

      I agree with u. The lady have all her exp he talking about policy. Give jane her lipstick please. Congrats dr c. Your hard work brought u there.

  17. Dr George Daniel
    September 21, 2012

    Dr Carissa Etienne’s achievement is a credit to herself, the Government and the people of Dominica. Its a testament to the intellectual and political talent which this miniscule Country of ours has and continues to export. Most of all, she represents the ultimate role-model to our youth. I hope the schadenfreudes in our midst take notice and move their energies towards elevating our people rather than always seeking ways to undermine true talent in DA

    • ?????
      September 22, 2012

      That’s so right Dr.D Main reason I and many others left never to return.

  18. dissident
    September 21, 2012

    The first paragraph in this article talks about unity among the political parties to congratulate Dr Ettienne on her appointment to PAHO. That was very deceptive. One would think that the 3 political parties put out a joint statement which they did not.
    U trying to create the wrong impression.
    They did not speak with one united voice.

    Whereas the UWP openly expressed their approval of Eluid WWilliams as president and that they were only opposed to the process which brought him in. Still the DLP says that the UWP is opposed to Mr Eluid Williams.

    We not fools man. Come better than that. And refrain from putting the wrong impressions out there to the world

  19. CIA on the Watch
    September 21, 2012

    “We must strive for social Justice” Dr. Etienne 2012. Congrtaulations Doc. But the situation in your beloved country by these ruthless politicians in Government will never heed your call, they are all for themselves and their political friends while the Poor in St. Joe languish in their cess pit of poverty, while these political bandits are thriving the poor in the rural communities are struggling, the farmers are crying for help, these same farmers who the country need to grow the fruits and local foods that will prevent all these diseases that PAHO spending millions on curing and prevention, yes Dr. Etienne we must strive for social justice because while these Politicians in office are doing well our graduates from university are struggling for jobs while retired men and women because of party affiliations are given the contracts in the public service oue graduates are languishing in this unjust society for real suatainable jobs, Dr. Etienne your call for social justice will fall on death ears because the vast majority of our Dominican populace are not aware of their constitutional rights as a result our leaders can say to us NO Law NO Constitution and Go to hell. Doc I commend you on your call for social Justice but our pastors and priest are death while the church pews are half filled on days of worship

    • Justice and Truth
      September 24, 2012

      @ CIA on the Watch

      With your consistent criticism and derogatory attacks, if you think you can do a better job, why do you not run for election? :twisted: :twisted:
      You should be charged for defamation of character and be asked to prove your words in Court. :twisted: :twisted:

  20. Massacre Boy
    September 21, 2012

    That is a nice way to break a deafening silence since the successul election and installation of Dominica’s new president last Monday and the disaster that was in putting “boots on the ground”.

    Mr. James, this is the same Carissa Ettienne who worked in the Ministry of Health between 1995 -2000. Remember the treatment she got at the hands of ——- you know who was in charge and on stage? Her only sin was that she came from a family that did not support Mr.James’ UWP. Added to that someone from massacre thought that she was an excellent candidate for the Mahaut constituency and whispered about it on the road. Soon Mr. James intelligence picked it up and that was enough for the UWP to unleash its venom on the lady in her job.

    • nim
      September 21, 2012

      In the hands of Mr Edison james and his Minister of Health Doreen Paul

  21. Anonymous
    September 21, 2012

    Very good!

  22. Anonymous
    September 21, 2012

    If is one thing , the DFP is a very mature Political Party to extend congratulations to the Government of Dominica headed by DLP Leader Rosevelt Skerrit

    • De Antagonist
      September 22, 2012

      You have that wrong. They both emanate from the DFP,remember that always the DLP has been invaded by DFP-ites.Deafeh Maynard DFP, Charles saverin DFP,R.Skerrit former president of young DFP,Sonia williams former health Minister DFP you guts want more ejs? Give me break

      • De Antagonist
        September 22, 2012

        The phenomenal Dr.E new head of PAHO is DFP to the bone too.

  23. hmm
    September 21, 2012

    DNO you funny eh…how that is unity? Did they issue a joint statement?

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