Carissa F. Etienne

Dr. Carissa F. Etienne is the Director of the Pan American Health Organization [PAHO], a post she has held since 2013, having been re-elected for a second five-year term in 2017. From 2008-2012, Dr. Etienne served as Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Services at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Prior to that, as Assistant Director of PAHO from 2003-2008, where she led five technical areas: Health Systems and Services; Technology, Health Care and Research; Health Surveillance and Disease Management; Family and Community Health; and Sustainable Development and Environmental Health.

A native of Dominica, 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 Degree [MSc]in Community Health in developing countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London.