Regional President: WONCA North America
Regional President: WONCA North America
Dr. Tania A. Whitby-Best is a Family Physician from Barbados and serves as President of the WONCA North America Region. She is Medical Officer and Head of Student Health Services at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, and also an Associate Lecturer in the Faculty of Medical Sciences.
A graduate of The University of the West Indies, Dr. Whitby-Best earned her Doctor of Medicine in Family Medicine following completion of her BSc, MBBS and MSc in Family Medicine. Throughout her career, she has combined clinical practice, academic teaching, research and health service leadership, with a particular focus on strengthening primary care, advancing student health, and improving health outcomes across diverse populations.
Her research interests include mental health, suicide prevention, women's health, health promotion, and community resilience. She has presented extensively at regional and international scientific meetings and has collaborated on multidisciplinary research addressing health issues affecting Caribbean populations. She is passionate about translating research into practical improvements in primary care and medical education.
Dr. Whitby-Best has been an active contributor to WONCA through regional educational initiatives, the Working Party on Women and Family Medicine, and international collaborations that promote excellence in family medicine. She also serves as President of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians, reflecting her longstanding commitment to advancing family medicine throughout the Caribbean.
As President of the WONCA North America Region, Dr. Whitby-Best is committed to strengthening collaboration across the region's diverse countries and territories, promoting excellence in family medicine through education, research, advocacy, and leadership development. She believes that strong primary care, delivered by well-supported family physicians working in partnership with their communities, is fundamental to achieving better health for all.