Field Placement:  Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
Location: Mexico
Preceptor: Robert Lee
Student Name: Carolyn McCoy
Year: 2008

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) (Organización Panamericana del la Salud or OPS) is the regional office for the World Health Organization (WHO). PAHO’s region covers from the tip of South America, to Canada, to the Caribbean. Within PAHO there are many areas that cover the gamut of public health issues in the world, and those affecting the region more specifically. The area where I worked was called the Area for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief (PED), and within that there is a full time Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Dr. Robert Lee was my direct supervisor in the EOC, however, Dr. Jean-Luc Poncelet oversaw all operations of the PED.
The EOC is a place that constantly monitors and gathers information and data on current situations or potential disasters or emergencies that can have an effect on public health. In the event of an emergency, the EOC activates and operates full-time in order to provide support to the regional PAHO offices that are affected by the situation.

My job as an intern was to monitor all sources of data and information that flows to the EOC, and seek out information as well. Should something arise that could potentially or has affected a country with the possibility of affecting public health, I would seek out confirmation or more information from either local or regional offices. Also, I was responsible for writing the two weekly bulletins, with two unique audiences.
For my longer term projects, I fully designed and distributing a web-based survey, collected the data, and created a presentation for my supervisor on the essential tools for municipalities during a phase 5 pandemic influenza. I also created a presentation that translated the PAHO contingency plan for pandemic influenza into layman’s terms.

The timing worked out as such that I was at the EOC for a simulation of nuclear emergency in Mexico. The International Atomic Energy Agency (ran the simulation) and the EOC and PAHO coordinated with the WHO, plus other agencies, for a 36 hour, full time operation. This was such an amazing learning experience.

Finally, I was fortunate enough to get brought along to training at the United Nations (parent of PAHO/WHO) cartography unit and Relief Web. We learned the essentials of mapping, since solid, UN certified maps are essential during emergencies and disaster relief.

Back to CHS Field Studies Placement Index | Back to CHS Field Studies | Back to Field Studies Home