The woman who has held the position of Chief Medical Officer for Antigua and
Barbuda for almost two decades has been formally 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).
In her new post, Dr. Sealey-Thomas is part of PAHO’s Executive Management
team, along with PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Deputy Director, Mary-Lou
Valdez, and Director of Administration, Kristan Beck.
“Dr. Sealey-Thomas knows, understands, and shares the values and the mission of
this great organization. Indeed, the work of her whole life reflects these values of
equity, excellence, solidarity, respect and integrity,” PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas
Barbosa, said. “The Organization is quite fortunate to have her at this crucial
time.”
During the ceremony, the new assistant director highlighted the primary health
challenges 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. Dr. Sealey-
Thomas expressed her commitment to working with Dr. Barbosa, to support his
vision for the future of PAHO and the Americas.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health, 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 with every confidence in
her ability to strengthen the PAHO team.”
Dr. Sealey-Thomas oversees 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 Non-
communicable 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 Dr. Sealey-Thomas’
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); 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,” Dr. Sealey-Thomas concluded. “Let us all remember that our
collective efforts are the driving force behind building healthier, more resilient, and
more equitable societies throughout the Americas.
Dr. Sealey-Thomas holds a Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery
degree, as well as 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, most recently serving as Chief
Medical Officer from 2005-2023.
