A Barbados national who has been the first Caribbean person to chair the executive board of the World Health Organization (WHO), has been appointed as the new executive director of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
Dr. Joy St. John, took up her appointment at the start of this month, replacing Trinidadian Dr. C James Hospedales, who had been in the position since 2013.
Prior to joining CARPHA, Dr. St. John held the post of Assistant Director-General at the WHO with direct responsibility for climate and other determinants of health. She was also the first Caribbean person to chair the WHO executive board between 2012 – 2013 and over a period spanning more than 10 years she served as Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Barbados.
From 2015 – 2017, Dr. St. John also held the position of CARPHA Director, responsible for Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control.
“In her role as Executive Director, Dr. St. John will bring her vast national and global experience in public health to successfully lead the Agency. She will address public health challenges impacting the Region, in collaboration with Caribbean Member States and partner organisations,” CARPHA said on its web page.
CARPHA is an institution of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) providing public health services in surveillance, laboratory, training, research and policy development.
