Gaafar Uherbelau became the Minister of Health in Palau in December 2021. He has a long history within the Ministry of Health and Human Services, serving as administrator, COVID-19 EOC Deputy Incident Commander, public information officer, and PHHS Grant Coordinator. He has also served as a board member on the Palau National Scholarship Board as well as chairman of the Palau Red Cross Society’ Central Branch Board. In 2019, Mr. Uherbelau was selected as part of the inaugural cohort of Obama Foundation Leaders: Asia-Pacific, a cross section of 200 emerging civic leaders from 33 nations and territories in the region. The year-long leadership program is designed to further inspire, empower, and connect the emerging leaders to change the world. He is the first Palauan chosen to join the Obama Foundation Leadership Program. Mr. Uherbelau holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science for Public Health and Politics & International Relations (double majors). He served in the US Army with a position of Paralegal Specialist (27D).