Rhonda Sealey-Thomas

Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, a national of Antigua and Barbuda, received her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of the West Indies in 1993, a Master of Public Health in 2005, and a Doctorate in Public Health from the Mona campus, Jamaica in 2020. Dr. Sealey-Thomas commenced her journey as a Medical Officer of Health for the Ministry of Health in Antigua and Barbuda, supervising a broad spectrum of healthcare professionals from 2000 to 2004. Ascending to a pivotal role, she served as the Chief Medical Officer from 2005 to 2023, where she acted as the primary advisor on paramount public health matters, chaired multiple national health committees, and represented the government on both regional and international platforms. Dr. Sealey-Thomas began her collaboration with PAHO in 2004, taking the role of Associate Consultant in the Non-communicable Diseases Unit based in Washington, D.C. She contributed to shaping the regional approach to challenges such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. She has been an active participant in a number of PAHO and WHO governance meetings, including the Executive Committee, Directing Council, and World Health Assembly. Her involvement with PAHO further extended as a member of its working group focused on crafting a Health Agenda for the Americas during 2005-2006 and 2016-2017. Additionally, Dr. Sealey-Thomas was part of PAHO's advisory group aimed at propelling the Noncommunicable Disease Agenda in the Caribbean. Dr. Sealey-Thomas served as the Chair of PAHO’s Regional Validation Committee, working towards eradicating Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis, a position that she held until the date of this appointment.