Dr. Cristina V. Beato Sworn in as Deputy Director of Pan American Health Organization
Washington, D.C., April 27, 2007 (PAHO)—Cristina V. Beato, M.D. was sworn in today as Deputy Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), saying she will focus “on good policy based on sound science” to help improve health conditions for the people of the Americas.
In a ceremony opened with a Native American prayer by a member of the Piscataway Tribe, Dr. Beato said she would work to help expand primary health care to all and to reduce health disparities, concentrating on prevention, care, education and clean water and working in partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Kristen Silverberg, Assistant Secretary of State, welcomed Dr. Beato on behalf of Secretary Condoleezza Rice, saying “She is a person of great compassion, skill and expertise with excellent management experience.”
Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Eric Hargan said at the ceremony, “PAHO is one of our most important partners in public health, and we’re sending you one of our best. She was the person we always called on and she gave us sound, intelligent advice.”
Dr. Beato, who holds an M.D. degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and biology from the University of New Mexico, served at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting as assistant secretary for health and assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service. She was the senior advisor to the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration on international nutrition policy and health literacy.
Dr. Beato was born in Cuba and grew up in Panama before moving to New Mexico at the age of 14. After studying in Albuquerque, she became Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Medical Director of the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, which includes the University Hospital, University Mental Health Hospital, the Children’s Psychiatric Hospital, and the Carrie Tingley Hospital.
PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses gave the official welcome and administered the oath of office to Dr. Beato, noting that 3 out of 4 of the top director’s posts are now held by women. Dr. Carissa Etienne, PAHO’s assistant director, said relevance, transparency and accountability were crucial to PAHO’s continuing work, saying “We can ill afford ineffective use of scarce resources.”
The Pan American Health Organization, founded in 1902, works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples. It serves as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).
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