PM Skerrit extends gratitude to Dr Carissa Etienne for serving as PAHO director for 10 years

Roseau, Dominica: Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica- Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, extended gratitude to Dr Carissa Etienne for her outstanding service as Director of Pan American Health Organization for the last ten years. 

On September 28th, at the 30th Pan American Sanitary Conference, the election of the new Director of the PAHO (the world’s oldest health organization) took place, which will take effect on February 1st 2023.

PM Roosevelt Skerrit also extended greetings and best wishes to Dr Jarbas Barbosa Da Silva for the election of the new Director of PAHO/WHO. 

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit noted, “On behalf of the people and govt of Dominica, I thank Dr Carissa Etienne for her outstanding service as the Director of paho/who for the last ten years. We appreciate her commitment to service and her contribution to the development of health systems in the region. I also extend best wishes to Jarbas_Barbosa, who will be the new Director of the Pan American Health Organization.”  

Dr Jarbas Barbosa Da Silva Jr who is from Brazil has been Assistant Director at PAHO for the past four years was elected among candidates from Panama, Mexico, Haiti and Uruguay.

Minister of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment- Dr Irving McIntyre noted, “Health in our region is at a critical stage in light of new and emerging challenges, including those posed by climate change. Dr Barbosa, who also held top positions at the Ministry of Health in Brazil prior to his engagement at PAHO, is well suited and brings a wealth of knowledge and constitutional memory to continue the many ongoing programs at the organization.” 

Outgoing Director from Dominica Dr Carissa Etienne led PAHO over the past ten years and the entire region of the Americas expressed gratitude for a job well done. Dr Etienne led an “on the ground approach” to health care in the region.

This approach played an integral part in her success as Director and became even more apparent and relevant during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

To express its sincere appreciation to Dr Carissa Etienne for her many years of service to the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization, and for her leadership as Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau, a resolution was passed to designate Dr Carissa F Etienne, Director Emeritus of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau as of the date of her retirement January 31st 2023.

Dr McIntyre also wished Dr Etienne well wherever the next chapter of her life takes her. Of course, we hope it’s back to Dominica, where they can continue to tap into her wealth of expertise. However, even if the journey doesn’t lead her back to the home front, they pray that happiness follows her.