December 1, 2023
With great regret, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports the death of Director Emerita Dr. Carissa F. Etienne.
Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, originally from Dominica, served as Director of PAHO and Regional Director for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO) from February 2013 to January 2023.
“Carissa was a dear friend and colleague, and under her strong leadership and guidance, PAHO achieved important milestones for the Americas region while facing one of our greatest public health challenges with COVID-19,” said the Director of the PAHO. PAHO, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. “I am very saddened by her passing and my thoughts are with her family, her friends and all of us at PAHO who cared for her deeply.”
During Dr. Etienne’s tenure, PAHO led the response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas region, as well as efforts to control the Zika and chikungunya epidemics and the cholera and yellow fever outbreaks in Haiti and Brazil, while significantly improving the capacity of the Organization. response to emergencies and disasters within 48 hours.
Under his leadership, the Americas eliminated endemic transmission of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome, and made considerable progress in the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. Legislative and regulatory mechanisms gained strength as countries enacted laws on food labeling and introduced taxes on sugary drinks.
Progress was also made in strengthening national health systems and moving towards universal health. In the last five years of Dr. Etienne’s term, births attended by trained midwives increased from 95% to almost 100% and, for the first time, the Region of the Americas reached the recommended goal of 25 doctors and nurses per 10,000 people.
Before becoming Director of PAHO, from March 2008 to November 2012, Dr. Etienne served as Assistant Director General for Health Systems and Services at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Previously, she served as Deputy Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau from July 2003 to February 2008, where she directed five technical areas: Health Systems and Services; Technology, Healthcare and Research; Health Surveillance and Disease Management; Family and Community Health; and Sustainable Development and Environmental Health.
During her tenure at both WHO and PAHO, Dr. Etienne led efforts to renew and strengthen health systems based on primary health care. She has also spearheaded policies to reduce health inequalities, increase people-centered care, and integrate health into broader public policies.
“We have lost a great advocate for public health,” said Dr. Barbosa. «Dr. Etienne’s invaluable experience will be deeply missed in global health debates to improve people’s lives and ensure better preparedness for global health emergencies.»
Dr Etienne began her career in her native Dominica as a physician at Princess Margaret Hospital and was later appointed medical director of that country. She also held other senior positions in Dominica, including Director of Primary Health Care Services, Coordinator of the National AIDS Programme, Disaster Coordinator of the Ministry of Health and Chairperson of the National Advisory Council for HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Etienne received her medical degree (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery-MBBS) from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica, and her Master of Science (MSc) in Community Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London.
