Name
Dr. Carissa F. Etienne
Title
Director of the Pan American Health Organization
Name of Organization
The Pan American Health Organization
What degrees do you hold?
I have a bachelor's medical degree (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) from the University of West Indies and a Master in Science (MSc) in Community Health in developing countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London.
How many years of experience do you have in healthcare?
I have seventeen years of experience in the healthcare sector.
Did you come from another industry before working in healthcare?
Yes. I was working with WHO as an Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Services before joining the Pan American Health Organization.
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How long have you worked in your current position?
I have worked for eight years since I joined the organization in 2012.
Please describe what your job entails.
As a director of PAHO, my job entails chairing the executive management of the organization, acting as the secretary to the organization's governing bodies, and overseeing official relations with all member states across America.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
The most rewarding aspects are when I see the public's health improving and eliminating diseases such as measles, rubella like the way we did in America during my first term in office.
What are the biggest challenges in your job?
One of the biggest challenges as a director of PAHO is ensuring equity and equality in regional and sub-regional health development. Currently, Covid-19 pandemic is another challenge because it has affected almost every sector, including the organization, and it is challenging because it involves making complicated decisions to make things work right.
If you could wave a magic wand to make something happen in your organization, what would it be?
I would make the organization accomplish its goal of bringing the countries together to improve healthcare and fight against poverty, inequity and inequality.
Where do you see the future of healthcare going, what trends are you observing?
The future of healthcare is bright, meaning that the state of public health is improving despite the Covid-19 pandemic. The trends I am observing include the ability of healthcare through legislative and regulatory mechanisms to prevent and control chronic and non-communicable diseases across the countries. Improved maternal care in America due to the increasing number of nurses and physicians.
What are your biggest challenges with reimbursement and staffing?
Work overload is one of the main challenges where healthcare providers in some of the health facilities are less, meaning they have to work extra hard to deliver much-needed healthcare to the patients.
What advice would you give a healthcare administration student to achieve success in our careers?
My advice is if you have a calling, then go for it; everything is possible.
