CARIBBEAN-Antiguan was sworn in as the new PAHO assistant director.

WASHINGTON, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda-born citizen Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas has been sworn in as the new Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr. Sealey-Thomas holds a Bachelor of Medicine, a Bachelor of Surgery degree, a Master of Public Health, and a Doctorate in Public Health from the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.

She has worked for the Ministry of Health in Antigua and Barbuda for over 25 years, recently serving as Chief Medical Officer from 2005-2023.

PAHO said in her new post-Dr. Sealey-Thomas will be part of PAHO’s executive management team, along with PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Deputy Director Mary-Lou Valdez, and Director of Administration Mrs. Kristan Beck.

“Dr. Sealey-Thomas knows, understands, and shares this great organization’s values and mission. Indeed, her whole life’s work reflects these values of equity, excellence, solidarity, respect, and integrity,” said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, adding,” The organization is quite fortunate to have her at this crucial time.”

In her address to the ceremony, the new assistant director highlighted the primary health challenges the region of the Americas must face over the next few years, including non-communicable diseases, climate change, the ability to have resilient systems, and the urgent need to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response.

“A wealth of knowledge, skilled personnel, learning institutions, and other entities bind us together. It is my aspiration that during my tenure, we work even closer as a Region in line with PAHO’s value of solidarity,” Dr. Sealey-Thomas said as she expressed her commitment to work with Dr. Barbosa to support his vision for the future of PAHO and the region of the Americas.

Antigua and Barbuda Health, Wellness & the Environment Minister, Sir Molwyn Joseph, underscored the “pivotal role” PAHO has played and “must continue to play” in the region and welcomed Dr. Sealey-Thomas’ appointment “because of our deep knowledge of her capacity to perform successfully and every confidence in her ability to strengthen the PAHO team.”

PAHO said that Dr. Sealey-Thomas will oversee the departments of Communicable Diseases, Prevention, Control, and Elimination; Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity; Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health; Health Systems and Services; Innovation, Access to Medicines and Health Technologies; and Noncommunicable Diseases Prevention and Mental Health; as well as the Special Programs on Comprehensive Immunization and the Regional Revolving Funds.

In addition, three PAHO/WHO technical centers are under her responsibility: the Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA), the Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WR), and the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME).

” Please be assured that I embark on this journey with humility, determination, and compassion. Let us all remember that our collective efforts are the driving force behind building healthier, more resilient, and more equitable societies throughout the Americas,” she added.