News

Dr. Jon Andrus is Named PAHO Deputy Director

Dr. Jon Kim Andrus, a public health expert with 25 years of experience of working in the field of vaccines, immunization, and primary care in developing countries, has been named deputy director of the Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

Dr. Andrus has been serving as lead senior technical advisor for PAHO’s immunization program, where he has been a forceful advocate for spreading the benefits of vaccination. He is also the director of the George Washington University’s Global Health MPH Program and holds adjunct faculty appointments at the University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Dr. Andrus, a U.S. citizen, has published numerous scientific articles in the fields of vaccines, immunization, and accelerated control of vaccine-preventable diseases and has won several prestigious awards for his service to public health.

He holds degrees from Stanford University (BS) and the University of California at Davis School of Medicine (MD), and did medical residencies at the University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine (family practice) and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Epidemic Intelligence Service and preventive medicine).

Dr. Andrus joined PAHO in 2003 as chief of the Immunization Unit and became lead technical advisor in 2006. He also spearheaded ProVac, an effort PAHEF has been heavily involved with to enhance countries’ capacities to use evidence in decision-making on vaccine use, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

As PAHO deputy director, effective 5 October 2009, Dr. Andrus will oversee the Organization’s efforts in planning and resource coordination, external relations and partnerships, knowledge management and communication, and emergency preparedness and disaster relief. He will also oversee PAHO’s Governing Bodies, Ethics and Ombudsman’s offices.