Washington, D.C., 28 September 2026 (PAHO) – Chile’s Minister of Health, Dr. May Chomalí Garib, was elected today as President of the 63rd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) during the opening session of one of the Organization’s governing bodies.
Dr. Chomalí assumes the leadership of PAHO’s Directing Council for the Americas, succeeding Lisa Cummins, Minister of Health and Wellness of Barbados.
Upon assuming the presidency, the Minister thanked PAHO Member States for their confidence. “It is an honor for Chile, and for me personally, to chair this Council,” she said.
The 63rd Directing Council brings together Ministers of Health and other senior authorities from countries and territories of the Americas from 28 September to 2 October to discuss some of the Region’s key health challenges and consider new public health policies, strategies, and plans of action.
May Chomalí Garib is a physician specializing in public health and health management. She holds a Master’s degree in Epidemiology and a diploma in Health Management from the University of Chile.
Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions in both public and private institutions, including as Medical Director of Clínica Las Condes and at the National Center for Health Information Systems (CENS). She is widely recognized for her work on health system modernization, digital transformation, and strengthening health management.
Panama and Antigua and Barbuda were also elected to serve as first and second Vice Presidents of the Directing Council, respectively. The Bahamas was elected Rapporteur.
