Dr Joy St John’s 30 year career in Public Health has allowed her to give service at the national, regional and global levels.
She rose through the ranks of Public Health in Barbados to become the first Barbadian to be Chief Medical Officer of her country, from 2005 to 2017.
She has served as the Director and most recently in June 2024, completed 5 years as the first female Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency.
She was the first Caribbean person to Chair the Executive Board of WHO and also became the first Barbadian Assistant Director General at WHO with responsibility for Climate and Other Determinants of Health in 2017 .
She has focused on overall Health Systems Strengthening at each stage of her career. Her firm but fair leadership has had particular focus on mitigating the harmful effects of Climate Change on Health, the fight against Non Communicable Diseases, and protecting Caribbean Regional Health Security.
Dr St John was fortunate to lead the CARICOM regional public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She therefore brings a wealth of practical experience in using Health Diplomacy in working with Heads of Government, Health Leadership, International Development Partners and multiple sectors in Pandemic Preparedness and Response.
She is currently Vice Chair of the Technical Advisory Panel of the Pandemic Fund Board.
