Cristina Beato
Assistant Secretary for Health
Acting
In office
February 5, 2003 – January 4, 2006
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byEve Slater
Succeeded byAdmiral John O. Agwunobi
Personal details
BornCuba
CitizenshipUS
Alma materUniversity of New Mexico(BS, MD, Residency)
Military service
Branch/service U.S. Public Health Service
Rank Rear Admiral

Cristina Beato is a doctor and public health professional. Notably, under George W. Bush's presidency, she oversaw the United States Public Health Service.

Early life

Beato was born in Cuba. As a child, she left Cuba on a Red Cross Humanitarian flight due to health issues.[1] She was taken to Miami, where she was treated and inspired to go into medicine. Following that, her family moved to Panama, where Beato attended a French nun's school. When she was fourteen, Beato moved to New Mexico. Although she was offered several scholarships, Beato chose to go to the University of New Mexico for college to stay near her sick mother. She completed her bachelor's in biology, medical degree and residency at University of New Mexico Medical School.[1] During her medical residency Beato instituted the first formal medical community outreach program for abused, neglected, and abandoned children at the All Faiths Receiving Home in Albuquerque.[2]

Career

After graduating, Beato worked at the New Mexico Youth Diagnostic and Development Center and as an emergency room physician at the Veterans' Administration Hospital and became the associate dean for clinical affairs and medical director of the University of New Mexico.[3] She was the first woman to serve in that position.[2]

In 2003, President Bush named Beato the Assistant Secretary US Public Health Service. Her nomination was followed by controversy based on questions surrounding her resume, which she claimed was due to a language barrier.[4]

After leaving that position, Beato worked as deputy director of the Pan American Health Organization and senior advisor on international nutrition policy at the Food and Drug Administration. She now works with PwC on health related research.[3]

Personal life

Beato has two children who she raised as a single mother.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Dr. Cristina V. Beato". PAHO today. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  2. 1 2 "Unique DCFS Program Opens New Worlds to Abused and Neglected Children". PsycEXTRA Dataset. 1998. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  3. 1 2 "Christina Beato". www.unmalumni.com. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  4. ↑ Kamen, Al (2004-06-21). "Nominee Crashes Into Language Barrier". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  5. ↑ "Carmona draws fire from former boss". POLITICO. 2012-05-21. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
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