Statement from Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, DAH, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica on the very sad Occasion of the Passing of Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Emerita, Dr. Carissa Faustina Etienne.
I was deeply saddened upon hearing the shocking news of the passing today, Friday, 1st December 2023, of PAHO Director Emerita, Dr. Carissa Etienne, who resided in Maryland, USA. Dr. Etienne, who hails from the community of Massacre, touched many lives as a medical doctor and a public health expert.
Her dedication to service and love for the human person led to her very long and renowned career which started as a medical officer at the then Princess Margaret Hospital. 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; and served as the Assistant Director-General of Health Systems and Services at the World Health Organization from 2008 to 2012. She was elected PAHO Director in September 2012.
On September 27, 2017, Dr. Etienne was re-elected for a second five-year term as Director of PAHO by the Member States of the organization. On January 23, 2018, the WHO Executive Board appointed her for a second term as WHO Regional Director for the Americas. Dr. Etienne also served as honorary Vice-President of the American Public Health Association.
Dr. Carissa Etienne, was Dominica’s pride and joy, a true patriot, a prominent Caribbean and international figure of great repute, and a strong advocate for the poor and vulnerable. She will be remembered as a devout Catholic and also spearheading the radical and impactful transformation of the public health care system in Dominica, which led to Dominica’s primary health care system ranking first in the world.
She will also be remembered for her stellar and steadfast leadership of PAHO and dedicated service to the region of the Americas, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, which history will reference as one of the most challenging periods the world has witnessed; forgetting her strong advocate for universal health coverage, who never lost sight of her vision for the Americas being: “A society free from inequality where vulnerable and everyone, particularly the most disadvantaged people, can lead healthy, meaningful and productive lives.” Dr. Etienne took great pride in looking out for her country Dominica and ensured that that Dominica received the best of health services. This was very evident during the COVID-19 pandemic intervention helped Dominica to quickly respond to and manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
The sudden passing of Dr. Etienne will certainly leave a great void in the lives of her husband Joseph Christopher William Gregoire, affectionately known as “Willie”, her 3 children, 3 grandchildren, her mother, her siblings, close friends, and extended family, in the lives of those whom she served and worked with, in the medical fraternity and the catholic community, which will linger for a very long time.
The Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica join Mr. Burton and me in conveying to her husband, her 3 children, her 3 grandchildren, her close friends and extended family, the Medical fraternity, the Catholic community, and residents of the St. Paul Parish, our deepest condolences on this very sad and difficult occasion.
May God the great healer blunt the edges of this sharp, painful, and great loss May we honour Dr. Etienne’s memory by emulating the great legacy that she has left behind, that of dedication to service, great faith, love of country, love, and respect of others, humility, the importance of one’s health and wellness, and caring for the vulnerable and disadvantaged persons among us.
Her tremendous work, contributions, and achievements in health in the Americas are unparalleled. She will be greatly missed not only here in Dominica but also in the region and the wider world. May her Soul rest in Eternal Peace and rise in glory.
