PAHO anguished at passing of former Director Carissa Etienne

Dr. Carissa F. Etienne

The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) yesterday expressed sorrow at the passing of its former Director, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne. She was 71.

She was a native of Dominica and  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”, he said, according to a statement from PAHO.