Immediate past PAHO director, Carissa F Etienne, dies aged 71

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.

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. -(CMC)