Alana OFFICER
Ms Alana OFFICER
Country: Switzerland
diplomas
- MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH
- POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC HEALTH
- MASTERS IN APPLIED SCIENCE (RESEARCH)
- DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE (PODIATRIC MEDICINE)
biography
I began my career as a clinician in Australia and England before taking on technical and managerial roles in disability, health, and development across various regions, including West and Central Africa, Europe, and Asia. I joined WHO in 2006 as the Coordinator for the Disability and Rehabilitation Team (DAR), and led the development of key resources like the WHO Global Disability Action Plan 2014–2021 and the World Report on Disability (2011). In July 2014, I joined the Department of Ageing and Life Course, leading the development of the World Report on Ageing and Health and supporting the Global Strategy on Ageing and Health. Since January 2020, I have headed WHO's Demographic Change and Healthy Ageing unit, coordinating the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and overseeing initiatives such as the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism, the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities and the Commission on Social Connection.
Why is this phd important for me (my career, organization or country)?
I want to further contribute to influencing policies and practices around fostering healthy ageing at the end of life. I have spent the last decade collating and analyzing existing research on disability, ageing and development. While the Reports that I have led have been extremely influential I want the opportunity to generate new knowledge that can improve our understanding and response to the end of life.
why did i choose this phd program?
I chose this doctorate program for its strong connections to the global health community in Geneva, its flexible design tailored for working health professionals, enabling me to continue my role with WHO, and its proximity to my home making it easy to access university resources, courses, and my excellent supervisors.