The former director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dominican-born Dr Carissa F Etienne, died Friday of an apparent heart failure.
She was 71 years old.
According to reports, she died during the early hours of Friday morning.
Family members confirmed to reporters in Dominica that she collapsed at her home in Maryland.
Dr. Etienne graduated from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica with a degree in Medicine and Surgery and held a master’s degree in community health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK.
She was a well-respected figure in the field of public health.
“My vision for the Americas is of a society free from inequality where everyone, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people, can lead healthy, meaningful and productive lives,” was one of her last remarks
The Embassy of Sweden in Washington D.C. unveiled the official portrait of Dr. Etienne in January, who was declared Director-Emeritus on September 30, at the 30th Pan American Sanitary Conference.
Throughout her tenure, Dr. Etienne strengthened PAHO’s technical cooperation and spearheaded innovative partnerships with both foundations and the private sector.
She championed the attainment of Universal Health as a comprehensive goal for the Americas, based on the primary health care approach.
Dr. Etienne developed strategies, policies, and plans to expand access to comprehensive care, particularly for vulnerable populations and in underserved and rural areas.
She also worked towards improving governance and stewardship in health, financing for health, and intersectoral action to address the social determinants of health. In addition, she founded PAHO’s Department for Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health to advocate for policies to increase taxes on unhealthy food products and scaling-up interventions aligned with the Framework Convention of Tobacco Control.
Among other accomplishments, Dr. Etienne led the organization’s drive towards eliminating diseases like HIV, malaria, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, Chagas, and others, and mobilized programs to prevent and control non-communicable diseases.
In the Caribbean, she spearheaded PAHO’s efforts to help countries adapt and respond to ever-increasing climate-related disasters, including hurricanes and floods.
The SMART Hospitals Network, which began in 2015, facilitated the retrofitting of 50 health facilities in the small island states of the Caribbean to become safe, green, and resilient to climate-related disasters.
Dr. Etienne’s leadership was critical in enabling the region to prepare for and mitigate the worst effects of the pandemic during the second half of her tenure.
Under her guidance, PAHO’s Revolving Fund for Access to Vaccines delivered over 151 million COVID-19 vaccines, contributing to the swift rollout of this life-saving technology in the region.
She also introduced a new people strategy, including a learning portal, updated information technology systems, and a telework policy to ensure better work-life balance at PAHO, demonstrating her concern for employee well-being and productivity.
Etienne, who recently retired after 10 years as director, was declared Director-Emeritus on September 30, 2022, at the 30th Pan American Sanitary Conference.
“From a little girl in Massacre, Dominica – walking barefoot, going to school, being as every other child was. If that child can rise to become director of PAHO, then there is hope for every child that walks the streets of the Americas (including the Caribbean),” said Etienne during the ceremony.
STATEMENT FROM PAHO
It is with great sorrow that the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) informs of the passing of Director Emeritus Dr. Carissa F. Etienne
Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, a native of Dominica, served as Director of PAHO and Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Americas from February 2013 to January 2023.
“Carissa was a dear friend and colleague, and under her steadfast leadership and guidance, PAHO achieved significant milestones for the region of the Americas while facing one of our greatest public health challenges with COVID-19,” PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said. “I am very saddened by her passing, and my thoughts are with her family, friends and all of us at PAHO who cared deeply for her.”
