50 años de la sede de la OPS: 1965-2015

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.”

“Uno de los acontecimientos más trascendentales para la OPS en la década de 1960 fue la inauguración de su nuevo edificio de la Sede, el primer hogar permanente para el personal de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana, que hasta este momento había ocupado locales alquilados y oficinas compartidas con otras instituciones , tales como la Unión Panamericana “.

Cueto, Marcos. The value of Health. A history of the Pan American Health Organization. Washington, D.C.: PAHO; 2007.

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.

La Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana quiere ser el mayor catalizador para asegurar que todos los pueblos de las Américas gocen de una óptima salud y contribuir al bienestar de sus familias y comunidades.

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.”

“Los ministros de salud pública de la Región dieron su primer vistazo a la nueva sede de la OPS el 27 de septiembre de 1965, el día de apertura de la XVI reunión del Consejo Directivo de la OPS. Desde ese día, las banderas de los países miembros y la bandera de la OPS han flameado en la plaza adyacente a la entrada”.

Cueto, Marcos. The value of Health. A history of the Pan American Health Organization. Washington, D.C.: PAHO; 2007.

The construction / La construcción

Did you Know? / ¿Sabía?

… that for the construction of the building were necessary ….

… que para la construcción del edificio se necesitaron…

110

feet high / pies de altura

4500

Metrics tons of reinforced concrete / Toneladas métricas de concreto reforzado

500000

Pounds of wood and marble / Libras de madera y mármol

40000

Cubic yards of earth Excavated / Yardas cúbicas de tierra excavada

Our benefactors / Nuestros benefactores

Our Gratitude / Nuestra gratitud

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

A la Fundación W. K. Kellogg con agradecimiento por la generosa donación que hizo posible la construcción de este edificio.

United States of America

Al Gobierno de los Estados Unidos de América en agradecimiento por su donación del lote en el cual el edificio fue construido en 1965.

Román Fresnedo Siri

En memoria de Román Fresnedo Siri, el arquitecto que diseñó el edificio de OPS.

Organization of American States

Durante un largo periodo de años, finalizando en 1947, las oficinas de OPS estuvieron localizadas en el edificio de la OEA.

World Health Organization

En 1949, OPS fue declarada la Oficina Regional de la Organización Mundial para las Américas

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

All PAHO's building completed The beginnings The construction phase

October 1961 – Architect Fresnedo Siri accepts $10,000 competition prize for the building’s design

September 1963 – Dignitaries from other international organizations attend groundbreaking ceremonies

August 1964 – Completion of the project would require over 4,500 metric tons of reinforced concrete

This building represents the realization of the dream of those who came before us, who ardently believed

The United States is honored to serve as host to the world’s oldest agency for international cooperation

This is one of the most eloquent demonstrations of the vitality of the regional system

Its ideal form and conception give living expression to the humanitarianism dominating our endeavors

This building symbolizes the spirit of the countries of the Americas and their ability to cooperate

Whatever the difficulties that may arise, the higher purpose to which we are committed will prevail

•  

  “I believe 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”

   

  Dr. Abraham Horwitz

•  

  “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. G. M. Candau

•  

  “Cualesquiera que sean las dificultades que surjan, siempre ha de prevalecer el propósito superior que nos guía y que, en lo general, ha de contribuir a que las Américas encuentren su propia autenticidad, enraizada en sus viejas culturas, y a que, sobre sus sólidos fundamentos, incorporen los progresos que la civilización aporta al bienestar colectivo.”

   

  Dr. Abraham Horwitz

•  

  “Este hermoso edificio, diseñado por un arquitecto uruguayo y construido sobre un terreno donado por el Gobierno de los Estados Unidos de América, es un símbolo de la cooperación entre todas las Repúblicas de las Américas.”

   

  Dr. M. G. Candau

Pan American Sanitary Bureau / Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana

Former Directors / Directores anteriores

Dr. Walter Wyman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 / La OPS en 1965

Making History / Escribiendo la historia

Precis Minutes. Annexes / Actas Resumidas. Anexos – CD16, OD 69, 1965.

Report of the Director / Informe anual del Director 1964 (Official Document 63)

Annual Report of the Director 1965 / Informe anual del Director 1965 (Official Document 70)

Quadrennial Report of the Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau, Regional Office of the World Health Organization 1962-1965.

Commemorates. The dedication of the New Headquarters Building

Dedication of the New Headquarters Building. Program

525 23rd St. Nw, Washington D.C. 20037

WORKING FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE AMERICAS FROM:

Washington D.C., Foggy Bottom

Official Poster / Afiche oficial