Home of Health for the Americas from 1965
Bringing technical cooperation to the member states since 1902
THE CONSTRUCTION
Did you know that for the construction of the building were necessary...
110 FEET HIGH
4500 METRICS TONS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
500000 POUNDS OF WOOD AND MARBLE
40000 CUBIC YARDS OF EARTH EXCAVATED
OUR BENEFACTORS
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
To the W.K. Kellogg Foundation with gratitude for the generous grant that made the construction of this building possible.
United States of America
To the Government of the United States of America in gratitude for its donation of the site on which PAHO’s 1965 Headquarters building was constructed.
Román Fresnedo Siri
In memory of Román Fresnedo Siri, the competition-winning architect who designed the 1965 PAHO Headquarters building.
Organization of American States
For a long period of years, ending in 1947, PAHO offices were located in OAS building.
World Health Organization
In 1949, PAHO was considered the Regional Office of the World Health Organization for the Americas.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
https://www.wkkf.org/
Government of the United States
https://www.whitehouse.gov/
Organization of American States
http://www.oas.org
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int
POSTCARDS | POSTALES
October 1961 – Headquarters architect Román Fresnedo Siri, right, accepts $ 10,000 competition-winning check from Director, Dr. Abraham Horwitz.
“I believe,” Dr. Horwitz has said, “that this beautiful building will become a monument to the ideal of better health for the peoples of the Americas. Architect Fresnedo Siri’s building has both grace and utility. It will be a significant contribution to public architecture in Washington. At the same time it reflects the high ideals of the Pan American spirit in an age when we must move ahead to build a better future for our peoples.”
This building represents the realization of the dream of those who came before us, who ardently believed
“This building represents one of the major achievements of the PAHO in the course of its long and fruitful existence over a period of sixty-three years. We feel sure that it represents the realization of the dream of those who came before us and who ardently believed that there would come such a day as this when all the nations of the Americas would be represented, not only to participate joyfully in the inauguration of this splendid Headquarters but also to reaffirm their determination to continue their unremitting and untiring efforts to improve the health of all the peoples of the Hemisphere.”
Dr. Rafael Moreno Valle,
Secretary of Health and Welfare of Mexico,
Inaugural Session, 27 September 1965
Its ideal form and conception give living expression to the humanitarianism dominating our endeavors
“Without failing to pay tribute to the restrained and elegant lines of the building’s façade, we are even more moved by its ideal form and conception, which give living expression to the humanitarianism that dominates our endeavors. In its design it partakes of both the formal and the functional the underlying principles of our Constitution. It has been our responsibility in the past, as it will be in the future, to translate those ideals into coherent aspirations and the objectives into tangible human well-being.”
Dr. Abraham Horwitz,
Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau
Inaugural Session, 27 September 1965
September 1963 - Dignitaries from other international organizations attend groundbreaking ceremonies
“Groundbreaking ceremonies September 1963. From left to right: Dr. Abraham Horwitz, from Chile, Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau, which is also the Regional Office of the World Health Organization; Dr. M.G. Candau, of Brazil, Director of the World Health Organization; José A. Mora, Secretary General of the OAS, which recognizes PAHO as a specialized organization; Dr. Luther Terry, Surgeon General of the United States; and Dr. Emory Kellogg, president of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation”.
The United States is honored to serve as host to the world's oldest agency for international cooperation
“The United States is honored to serve as host nation to the Pan American Health Organization-the world’s oldest agency for international cooperation in health-and to have in our midst its elegant new home. Health is akin to beauty. It is fitting that a building dedicated to the ideal of better health for the people of the Americas should express that beauty in its form and design.”
John W. Gardner,
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare of the United States of America
Inaugural Session, 27 September 1965
This building symbolizes the spirit of the countries of the Americas and their ability to cooperate
“This building symbolizes the spirit of the countries of the Americas and their ability to cooperate together in overcoming their health problems. It is a symbol of friendship, understanding, and mutual respect. In it we shall work together toward the attainment of our ideal-the improvement of health conditions in all the Americas-and thereby contribute to the prosperity and peace which should be the lot of man throughout the world.”
Dr. M. G. Candau,
Director-General of the World Health Organization
Inaugural Session, 27 September 1965
August 1964 - Completion of the project would require over 4,500 metric tons of reinforced concrete
“En agosto del 1964 el elegante edificio comenzó a tomar forma. Todo el proyecto se llevó 4.500 toneladas métricas de cemento armado, más de medio millón de libras de acero reforzado y madera, mármol, granito, vidrio …”
This is one of the most eloquent demonstrations of the vitality of the Regional System
“The Pan American Sanitary Bureau is the oldest specialized agency in the regional system. Our basic Charter recognizes this Organization as one of the organs of the OAS. For a long period of years, ending in 1947, its offices were located in our own building. We therefore regard the growth of the Pan American Health Organization and of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau as one of the most eloquent demonstrations of the vitality of the regional system.”
Dr. José A. Mora,
Secretary General of the Organization of American States
Inaugural Session, 27 September 1965
Whatever the difficulties that may arise, the higher purpose to which we are committed will prevail
“Whatever the difficulties that may arise, the higher purpose to which we are committed will prevail, a purpose that guides the Americas in their search for their own identity, rooted as they are in their old cultures, and enables them to assimilate, on these solid foundations, the progress that civilization brings for the common weal. This is how we see the essence and implications of a work that has today taken on a new lease of life with the inauguration of this building, designed by an artist with a clear vision of its destiny who has found in it a source of inspiration. To symbolize, the handing of this building over to the Governments, I should like to present you, Mr. President, with this key, which we hope will be passed on at all meetings of the Governing Bodies in the generations to come.”
Dr. Abraham Horwitz,
Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau
Inaugural Session, 27 September 1965
FORMER DIRECTOS
Dr. Walter Wyman
1902-1911
Walter Wyman was born on August 17, 1848, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He graduated from the St. Louis Medical College in 1873.
Dr. Rupert Blue
1912-1920
Rupert Blue was born in Richmond County, North Carolina, USA, on May 30, 1868. He attended the University of Virginia and earned his M.D. from the University of Maryland in 1892.
Dr. Hugh Cumming
1920-1947
Hugh Smith Cumming was born in Hampton, Virginia, USA, on August 17, 1869. He obtained medical degrees from the University of Virginia Department of Medicine in 1893 and the University College of Medicine in Richmond in 1894.
Dr. Fred Soper
1947-1959
Fred Lowe Soper was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, USA, on December 13, 1893. He received his M.D. from Rush Medical College of the University of Chicago in 1918 and his doctorate from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
Dr. Abraham Horwitz
1959-1975
Abraham Horwitz was born in Santiago, Chile, on December 25, 1910. An expert on health and nutrition, he had a career in international public health that spanned six decades.
Dr. Héctor Acuña
1975-1983
Héctor R. Acuña Monteverde was born in Sonora, Mexico, on September 24, 1921. He received the degree of Surgeon from the School of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 1947 as well as a Master of Public Health degree from Yale University in 1951.
Dr. Carlyle Guerra de Macedo
1983-1995
Carlyle Guerra de Macedo was born in the state of Piauí in Brazil on April 15, 1937. He obtained his medical degree from the Federal University of Pernambuco in 1962.
Dr. George Alleyne
1995-2003
George A.O. Alleyne, Director Emeritus, was born in St. Philip, Barbados, in 1932. He obtained his bachelor of medicine and surgery degree from the University of London in 1957 and his M.D. from the same university in 1965.
Dr. Mirta Roses Periago
2003-2013
Mirta Roses Periago, Director Emeritus, was born in Argentina. She received her medical degree from the National University of Córdoba in 1969, obtaining a diploma in public health with concentration in epidemiology and a certificate of specialization in infectious diseases from the University of Buenos Aires and Tropical Medicine from the Bahia State Federal University in Brazil.
PAHO'S DIRECTOR
Dr. Carissa F. Etienne
Dr. Carissa F. Etienne was elected Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) by the Member States of the Organization on 19 September 2012 and began her five-year term on 1 February 2013.
La doctora Carissa F. Etienne fue elegida Directora de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) por los Estados Miembros de la Organización el 19 de septiembre del 2012. Su mandato, de cinco años, comenzó el 1 de febrero del 2013.
PAHO in 1965 - Making History
WORKING FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE AMERICAS FROM: WASHINGTON D.C., FOGGY BOTTOM
Building the New Headquarters
“One of the most momentous events for PAHO during the 1960s was the opening of its new Headquarters building, the first permanent home for the staff of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau who, until this time had either occupied rented space or shared offices with other institutions, such as the Pan American Union.”
In the 80s
The Pan American Sanitary Bureau wants to be the major catalyst for ensuring that all the peoples of the Americas enjoy optimal health and contribute to the well being of their families and communities.
PAHO Now
“The Region’s public health ministers caught their first glimpse of PAHO’s new Headquarters on 27 September 1965, the opening day of the XVI meeting of PAHO’s Directing Council. Since that day, the flags of the member nations and the PAHO flag have flown in the plaza adjacent to the entrance.”