Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda is sworn in as PAHO/WHO Assistant Director – PAHO/WHO
Washington DC October 12, 2023 (PAHO/WHO) – Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, was sworn in today as the new Deputy Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr. Sealey-Thomas holds a Bachelor of Medicine, a Bachelor of Surgery, as well as a Master of Public Health and a Doctor of Public Health from the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. She has worked for the Ministry of Health of Antigua and Barbuda for over 25 years and most recently served as Medical Director from 2005 to 2023.
In her new role, Dr. Sealey-Thomas is part of PAHO’s Executive Management team, alongside the Director of PAHO, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, the Deputy Director, Ms. Mary-Lou Valdez, and the Director of Administration, Mrs. Kristan Beck.
«Dr. Sealey-Thomas knows, understands and shares the values and mission of this great organization. Indeed, his life’s work reflects these values of fairness, excellence, solidarity, respect and integrity,» said the Director of the PAHO, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa «The Organization is very fortunate to have her at this crucial moment.»
During the ceremony, the new Deputy Director highlighted the primary health challenges that the Region of the Americas must face in the coming years, including non-communicable diseases, climate change, the capacity for resilient systems, and the urgent need to strengthen pandemic preparedness. and response. Dr. Sealey-Thomas expressed her commitment to working with Dr. Barbosa to support her vision for the future of PAHO and the Region of the Americas.
«There is a wealth of knowledge, trained personnel, learning institutions and other entities that bring us together,» he said. “My aspiration is that during my mandate we work even more closely as a Region in line with PAHO’s value of solidarity.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Health, Wellbeing, Social Transformation and Environment of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honorable Sir Molwyn Joseph, highlighted the “fundamental role” that PAHO has played and “must continue to play” in the Region, and welcomed Dr. Sealey-Thomas’ appointment “because of our deep understanding of his ability to perform successfully and our full confidence in his ability to strengthen the PAHO team.”
Dr. Sealey-Thomas oversees the departments of Communicable Diseases, Prevention, Control and Elimination; Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity; Evidence and Intelligence for Health Action; Health Systems and Services; Innovation, Access to Medicines and Health Technologies; and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health; as well as the Special Comprehensive Immunization Programs and the Regional Revolving Funds.
Additionally, under the responsibility of Dr. Sealey-Thomas are three PAHO/WHO technical centers: the Pan American Center for Foot and Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA); the Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women’s and Reproductive Health (CLAP/SMR); and the Latin American and Caribbean Center for Health Sciences Information (BIREME).
“Rest assured, I embark on this journey with humility, determination and compassion,” Dr. Sealey-Thomas concluded. “Let us all remember that our collective efforts are the driving force behind building healthier, more resilient and more equitable societies throughout the Americas.
Biography
Dr. Sealey-Thomas began her career as a medical officer for the Ministry of Health in Antigua and Barbuda in 1994. She then served as the country’s chief medical officer from 2005 to 2023, where she acted as a senior advisor on relevant health issues. .
Dr. Sealey-Thomas began her collaboration with PAHO in 2004 as an Associate Consultant in the Noncommunicable Diseases Unit, where she helped shape the Organization’s approach to regional challenges such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
She was a member of the PAHO working group in charge of developing a Health Agenda for the Americas during 2005-2006, a member of the Organization’s advisory group on the Noncommunicable Diseases Agenda in the Caribbean and was also President of the Regional Validation Committee for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis.
