Rear Admiral Dr. Cristina V. Beato, FAAFP Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Washington, District of Columbia

Dr. Cristina V. Beato is focused on leading the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) efforts to reduce health disparities, combat HIV/AIDS, encourage prevention strategies for reducing chronic diseases, and advance women's health. She is a spokesperson for HHS and has been actively involved in the Department's efforts to encourage immunizations, increase preparedness for public health emergencies, promote research integrity and ethics, and establish a women's hospital in Afghanistan.

Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Beato has dedicated her professional life to improving the health and well being of individuals, families, and communities. She emigrated from Cuba in her childhood, and went on to receive her undergraduate and medical school education at the University of New Mexico (UNM). During her medical residency, Dr. Beato instituted the first formal medical community outreach program for abused, neglected, and abandoned children at the All Faiths Receiving Home in Albuquerque where she later served as medical director. Prior to joining the Department, Dr. Beato served her community in various capacities, including as the UNM School of Medicine associate dean for clinical affairs and chief medical officer of the UNM Hospital System, the first woman to serve in that position.