Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas,  has made significant contributions to public health throughout her career. She received her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of the West Indies in 1993. Later, she earned a Master of Public Health in 2005 and a Doctorate in Public Health from the Mona campus in Jamaica in 2020. Dr. Sealey-Thomas began her journey as a Medical Officer of Health for the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Health, overseeing various healthcare professionals from 2000 to 2004. She then assumed the pivotal role of Chief Medical Officer from 2005 to 2023, serving as the government’s primary advisor on critical public health matters. During this time, she chaired multiple national health committees and represented Antigua and Barbuda on regional and international platforms.

Her collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) began in 2004 when she became an Associate Consultant in the Non-communicable Diseases Unit based in Washington, D.C. Dr. Sealey-Thomas played a crucial role in shaping the regional approach to challenges such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. She actively participated in PAHO and World Health Organization (WHO) governance meetings, including the Executive Committee, Directing Council, and World Health Assembly. Dr. Sealey-Thomas’s commitment extended to crafting a Health Agenda for the Americas during 2005-2006 and 2016-2017. She also contributed to PAHO’s advisory group focused on advancing the Noncommunicable Disease Agenda in the Caribbean. Notably, she chaired PAHO’s Regional Validation Committee, working to eradicate Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis. On October 12, 2023, Dr. Sealey-Thomas was sworn in as the Assistant Director of PAHO, further solidifying her dedication to improving public health in the Americas.