Cristina V. Beato

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. 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 School of Medicine.

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. She was the first woman to serve in that position.

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.