Washington, D.C., 26 September 2023 (PAHO)- The PAHO Award for Health Services Management and Leadership 2023 has been awarded to Dr. Alfredo Darío Espinosa Brito, of Cuba, for his service to public health.
The award ceremony took place during the 60th Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which is being held this week in the U.S. capital with the participation of top health authorities from the countries of the Region of the Americas.
The award recognizes Dr. Espinosa's outstanding contributions in the field of public health management, including the significant impact of his academic and scientific publications in the Region.
The President of PAHO's 60th Directing Council and Vice minister of Health of Panama, Ivette Berrío, presented this year's award in recognition of Dr. Espinosa's valuable contribution to primary health care and his role in disease prevention and health promotion, especially in addressing the burden of noncommunicable diseases in vulnerable populations and older adults.
Espinosa Brito is a leading professional in medicine and education in Cuba. He holds the degrees of Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Medical Sciences. He works as a tenured and consulting professor at the "Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima" University Hospital in Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Since he could not be present at the award ceremony in Washington D.C., the Minister of Public Health of Cuba, José Ángel Portal Miranda, received the award on his behalf.
"Dr. Espinosa is an excellent health professional whose work has transcended national borders, and whose efforts and dedication to strengthening national health systems in the region are significant, not only in medical practice but also in research and teaching," minister Portal said.
The Award Committee of the PAHO Award for Health Services Management and Leadership 2023 is composed of delegates from the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Jamaica, and Suriname.
Through this award, established in 1969, the governments of the Americas recognize outstanding contributions to improving health systems and services, and to programs, projects, and initiatives with proven impact on access to health care at the national or regional levels.
Previous recipients include Dr. Carla Romero, of Bolivia; Dr. Joanne Liu, of Canada; Dr. Reina Roa Rodriguez, of Panama; Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer, of Belize; and Dr. Stella Bolaños Varela, of Costa Rica.
