It is with a heavy heart that we bring news of the passing of one of our nation’s most esteemed figures in public health, Dr. Carissa Etienne. The former head of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and a renowned public health expert in Dominica, Dr. Etienne died following a heart attack in the United States today. Her untimely departure has cast a shadow of sorrow over our island and the international health community.
Health Minister Cassani Laville, in a statement on state-owned DBS Radio, expressed the profound sadness felt across the nation. “The news of Dr. Carissa Etienne’s passing this morning is deeply saddening. We have certainly lost a champion in the field of healthcare,” he remarked.
Family friend Ackroyd Birmingham shared his memories and the last moments with Dr. Etienne during an emotional conversation on a local radio station, Q95. Despite undergoing back surgery earlier this year, Dr. Etienne was in good spirits when he saw her on Thursday evening. “She had just received a positive health report from her doctor and was glowing with happiness,” Birmingham recalled. Plans were even underway for a small gathering in her honor, scheduled for the coming Saturday.
However, in the early hours of Friday, a tragic turn of events occurred. Birmingham narrated that Dr. Etienne, while in the bathroom, started to fall but was assisted by her husband. Her sister, a nurse visiting from England, immediately provided first aid and called for an ambulance. “She was taken to the hospital, and about an hour later, we received the heartbreaking news of her passing,” he shared.
Birmingham, who has known Dr. Etienne since she was 12, struggled with his emotions during the interview, highlighting the shock and sorrow felt by her family and friends, especially those who had spent time with her the night before. “She was really feeling good last night,” he said, reflecting on their last encounter.
The loss of Dr. Carissa Etienne is not just a personal tragedy for her family and friends; it’s a significant loss for Dominica and the global health community. She was a figure of national pride, and a trailblazer in her field, and her contributions to public health have left an indelible mark on countless lives. As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate her remarkable life and the legacy she leaves behind. Dominica has lost a true hero, and her memory will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.
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It’s shocking to hear about Dr. Etienne’s sudden passing. Just last evening she was in good spirits, and now she’s gone. This is a reminder of how fragile life is, I mean you are alive in the afternoon, healthy with plans for the next week, next year, and next decade. Her loss is a significant one for Dominica and the global health community.
I’m deeply saddened by the news of Dr. Carissa Etienne’s passing. She was a pillar in our public health sector and her untimely departure leaves a void that will be hard to fill. My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.