The Government of Dominica are deeply saddened by the loss of their distinguished daughter, Dr Carissa F. Etienne, who was the former Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional for the Americas.
Dr. Carissa F. Etienne was a global leader and advocate for public health who made Dominica proud with her achievements and vision.
She served as the Director of PAHO for two consecutive terms, from 2013 to 2023, after being elected by the Member States in 2012 and 2017. She was also the WHO Regional Director for the Americas from 2018 to 2023.
She held various senior positions in the WHO, PAHO, and the Ministry of Health of Dominica, where she was the Director of Primary Health Care Services from 1989 to 2001.
She led the transformation of primary health care in Dominica, ensuring universal access to quality services, high immunization rates, maternal and child health, chronic disease management, community engagement, and health education.
She also worked as the Chief Medical Officer, the Coordinator of the National HIV/AIDS Programme, the National Epidemiologist, and the Medical Director of the Princess Margaret Hospital.
The people of Dominica express their heartfelt sympathy to the family of Dr Carissa F. Etienne, our beloved and illustrious daughter. In this time of sorrow, they share their pain and pray to the Lord to give them strength and consolation.
They will never forget her and will celebrate her outstanding contributions and dedication to the management of Dominica’s public health sector, as well as her leadership and strategic guidance of health systems in the Americas.
They will always honour and cherish her remarkable legacy and commitment to the improvement of Dominica’s public health sector and her leadership and strategic direction of health systems in the Americas.
