Cristina V. Beato, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., is the deputy director of the Pan American Health Organization since April 2, 2007.
Dr. Beato most recently served as the senior advisor to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs on International Nutrition Policy and Health Literacy at the Food and Drug Administration in the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Prior to this assignment, she was the acting assistant secretary of Health in the Office of Public Health and Science at HHS, the principal deputy assistant secretary for Health and assistant surgeon general for the U.S. Public Health Service. Prior to joining HHS, she was the associate dean for Clinical Affairs and medical director, as well as assistant dean for Clinical Affairs, at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center.
Specific areas under her direct supervision include: Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief; Ethics Office; Governance, Policy and Partnerships; Information and Knowledge Management; Legal Affairs; Office the Ombudsman; Public Information; Planning, Program Budget and Project Support; Publications; and the Regional Forum for the Americas office.
Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Beato holds a medical degree and a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico. She is fluent in Spanish and French and proficient in Portuguese and Italian.