PAHO/WHO welcomes new subregional Program Director, Caribbean

The Caribbean Subregional Program Coordination Office of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently welcomed Dean Chambliss to the post of Subregional Program Director, Caribbean. 

He replaces the Subregional Program Coordinator, Mrs Jessie Schutt-Aine, who led the office from 2015.  Mr Chambliss joined the office on 24 May and brings a wealth of knowledge to this new position.  A national of the United States of America, he received his bachelor’s degree in International Studies in 1991 from American University, in Washington, D.C., and obtained an M.B.A. in General Management from IESE Business School, Universidad de Navarra, in Barcelona in 1999.  He commenced his career with the United Nations in 1993, when he joined the World Food Programme (WFP) as an Emergency Project Officer in Maputo, Mozambique.  He later served as Strategic Planner for WFP in Rome, Italy.  From 2002-2005, Mr. Chambliss worked at the American Red Cross as Operations Officer and Manager, Program Analysis, in Washington, D.C.  In 2005, he joined PAHO’s office in Washington, D.C., as a Planning Officer in the Area of Planning and Program Budget.   

In 2008, he was transferred to the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Management Officer in the Office of the Assistant Director General for Health Systems and Services.  He was subsequently appointed as Head, Program and Resource Management, in the WHO Regional Office for Europe (EURO) in 2013.  In July 2015, Mr. Chambliss returned to PAHO as Head of the Office of Country and Subregional Coordination in Washington, D.C.  In 2016, he was reassigned to the post of Director, Department of Planning and Budget, a position he held until the date of this reassignment.   

Mr Chambliss stated that he is grateful to be of service to the Caribbean and is eager to continue the technical cooperation for which the office is well known.  He stated: “I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to build upon and forge new partnerships to assist this region, particularly as the Caribbean strives to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Caribbean countries, including several Small Island Developing States, are currently facing historic economic, public health and economic challenges.  My team and I will work assiduously with CARICOM, its regional integration offices, and other partners, to tackle these pressing public health issues.”