Quick Facts
Biography
Carissa F. Etienne is a public health expert from Dominica. She serves as the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) (2013–18). She is an advocate for universal health coverage.
Early life and education
Etienne graduated with a degree on Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. She holds a master's degree in community health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK.
Career
Etienne started her career as a medical officer in the Princess Margaret Hospital in Dominica. She was Director of Primary Health Care Services, Disaster Coordinator, National Epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health, Coordinator of the National AIDS Program, Chair of the National AIDS Committee, and had two separate terms as Chief Medical Officer.
She was the Assistant Director of PAHO from 2003 to 2008. She served as the Assistant Director-General of Health Systems and Services at the World Health Organization in 2008–12. She was elected PAHO director in September 2012 and took up the position, which has a five-year term, in February 2013. She also serves as honorary Vice-President of the American Public Health Association.