2025 Global Golisano Health Leadership Award Recipient from Paraguay: Dr. María Teresa Barán Wasilchuk
Minister of Health - Paraguay
Dr. María Teresa Barán Wasilchuk serves as the Minister of Health in Paraguay. Since taking office, she has made inclusive health a national priority, driving significant progress in transforming both practices and policies to better serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Among her early initiatives, Dr. Barán formally recognized the health needs of people with disabilities at the national level by launching two key resources: A Guideline for the Appropriate Treatment of People with Intellectual Disabilities for Health Professionals and The Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also led the reactivation of the National Council for Public Policies on Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Furthermore, under Dr. Barán’s leadership, the Ministry of Health initiated a three-year strategic collaboration with Special Olympics Paraguay to address health disparities faced by individuals with IDD.
This mission is deeply personal for Dr. Barán, who has previously worked as a surgeon and Family Medicine specialist and volunteered with Special Olympics, organizing Family Health Forums and participating in Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® events.
Dr. Barán’s leadership has positioned Paraguay as a model for how health systems can become more inclusive when they prioritize the needs of individuals with IDD.
Dr. María Teresa Barán Wasilchuk serves as the Minister of Health in Paraguay. Since taking office, she has made inclusive health a national priority, driving significant progress in transforming both practices and policies to better serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Among her early initiatives, Dr. Barán formally recognized the health needs of people with disabilities at the national level by launching two key resources: A Guideline for the Appropriate Treatment of People with Intellectual Disabilities for Health Professionals and The Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also led the reactivation of the National Council for Public Policies on Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Furthermore, under Dr. Barán’s leadership, the Ministry of Health initiated a three-year strategic collaboration with Special Olympics Paraguay to address health disparities faced by individuals with IDD.
This mission is deeply personal for Dr. Barán, who has previously worked as a surgeon and Family Medicine specialist and volunteered with Special Olympics, organizing Family Health Forums and participating in Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® events.
Dr. Barán’s leadership has positioned Paraguay as a model for how health systems can become more inclusive when they prioritize the needs of individuals with IDD.