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Second Regional Webinar with PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centres

All PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centres located in the Region of the Americas are invited to attend the Second Regional Webinar, titled “Synergies for Universal Health: Leveraging PAHO's Flagship Initiatives and the Role of PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centres,” taking place on 9–10 September 2025.  

The webinar aims to highlight and strengthen the valuable contributions of the CCs to PAHO/WHO’s Flagship Initiatives, while fostering the expansion of networks for knowledge generation and collaboration in areas such as data analysis, evidence generation, research, innovation, digital health solutions, and artificial intelligence. 

Objective of the Webinar: 

Enhance the engagement of Collaborating Centres in addressing the Region’s most urgent health priorities, within the framework of PAHO’s Flagship Initiatives and priorities: 

  • The Elimination Initiative
  • Digital Transformation
  • Better Care for NCDs
  • Regional Revolving Funds
  • Regional Production
  • Primary Health Care
  • Immunization
  • Zero Preventable Maternal Deaths

WHEN

  • 9 September 2025 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (EST)
  • 10 September 2025 | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM (EST)

Please check the time in your timezone.

WHOM

  • Ongoing PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centres
  • PAHO/WHO Personnel

WHERE

  • Virtual Platform

HOW

  • Registration for 9 September 2025 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (EST)
  • Registration for 10 September 2025 | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM (EST)
 

Agenda

10:00 am 

Welcome to participants, guidance for technical discussions, and expected outcomes

10:05 – 11:00 am

Panel 1: Advancing Universal Health in the Americas: The Flagship Initiatives and priorities

Moderator: Sebastian Garcia-Saiso, Director EIH, PAHO/WHO

11:00 am

Brief instructions for the second part of the event 

11:05 am

Break (allowing time for participants to join their respective sessions)

11:10 am – 1:00 pm

Panel 2: Deep Dive: how can PAHO and CCs jointly contribute to the achievements of the PAHO Initiatives and the way beyond in strengthening networks (breakout sessions) 

  • Topics on Communicable Diseases, led by CDE Department. Lead Moderators: Dr. Hector Coto, Dr. Ana Lucianez, and Dr. Martha Saboya
  • Topics on Noncommunicable Diseases, led by NMH Department. Lead Moderator: Dr. Vanessa Garcia Larsen
  • Topics on Health Systems and Services, led by HSS Department. Lead Moderators: Dr. Suzanne Serruya and Dr. Gustavo Rosell
  • Topics on Access to Health Technologies and Immunizations, led by IMT / CIM / RRF Departments. Lead Moderators: Dr. Tomas Pippo, Dr. Hugo Rázuri and Mr. Christopher Lim
  • Topics on Social Determinants, led by DHE Department. Lead Moderator: Dr. Daniel Buss
  • Topics on Research, Information Systems, Evidence, led by EIH Department. Lead Moderator: Dr. Sebastián García-Saisó
  • Topics on Health Emergencies, led by PHE Department. Lead Moderator: Dr. Celso Bambaren

1:00 pm

End of sessions

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Agenda

9:30 am

Welcome to participants and brief introduction (Master of Ceremony)

Ms. Eliane Santos, Advisor, Knowledge Management and Networks, Regional Focal Point for CC in the Americas, EIH, PAHO/WHO 
 

9:35 am

Opening Remarks

Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Júnior, Director, PAHO/WHO 
 

9:45 am

Panel 1: Collaborating Centres supporting the Flagship Initiatives for the Region of the Americas and strengthening networks  

Moderator: Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, Assistant Director, PAHO/WHO 
o    Topics on Communicable Diseases. Rapporteur: CC ARG-14, Dr. Soledad Santini
o    Topics on Noncommunicable Diseases. Rapporteur: CC MEX-37, Dr. Rebeca Robles
o    Topics on Health Systems and Services. Rapporteur: CC BRA-32, Dr. Carla A. Ventura
o    Topics on Access to Health Technologies and Immunizations. Rapporteur: CC BRA-96, Dr. Adriana Mendoza Ruiz
o    Topics on Social Determinants. Rapporteur: CC URU-2, Prof. Carolina Juanena
o    Topics on Research, Information, Evidence. Rapporteur: CC BRA-76, Dr. Regina Ungerer
o    Topics on Health Emergencies. Rapporteur: CC ARG-19, Dr. Maria Alejandra Morales
 

10:45 am

Interaction with the Director

Brief Q&A Session 
 

11:00 am

Panel 2: The Value of Partnership 

Moderator: Ms. Lou Valdez, Deputy Director, PAHO/WHO 
Highlighting CCs contributions to the Region
 

11:15 am

Closing Remarks

Dr. Sebastián García-Saisó, Director EIH, PAHO/WHO 
 

11:30 am

End of session

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  • Plenary sessions on 9-10 September 2025 will feature simultaneous interpretation in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
  • Breakout sessions on 9 September 2025 will feature simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish.
  • 9 September 2025 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (EST)
  • 10 September 2025 | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM (EST)

Call for Posters

As part of this seminar, PAHO invites all ongoing Collaborating Centres located in the Region of the Americas to submit a poster highlighting their current contributions—and potential future contributions—to PAHO’s Flagship Initiatives. Posters should also showcase key deliverables achieved from 2022 to the present, following the Terms of Reference and agreed workplan.

The call for submissions is open until 26 August 2025, and only one poster per ongoing Collaborating Centre will be accepted.

The voting period will be open from 1 to 5 September 2025. During this time, you may vote for up to three posters. The three posters receiving the highest number of votes and meeting the established criteria will be selected, and their respective Collaborating Centres will be invited to present during the plenary session on 10 September 2025. 

📘 Criteria & Guidelines 📥 Poster Template (download file) 📝 Submit Your Poster ✅ Vote for your Favorite Poster: 1-5 September 2025 

Meet the Knowledge Management Team

Ms. Eliane Santos

Advisor, Knowledge Management and Networks
& Leader of the Knowledge Management Team
EIH/SK-KM, PAHO/WHO

Ms. Brindis Ochoa

Specialist, Collaborating Centres and Knowledge Networks
EIH/SK-KM, PAHO/WHO

Ms. Kim Smith

Administrative Assistant
EIH/SK, PAHO/WHO

More information