Washington, D.C., 18 September 2012 (PAHO/WHO) — The Member States of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will elect a new Director of the Organization on Wednesday, Sept. 19, during the 28th Pan American Sanitary Conference, which is being held this week in Washington, D.C.
According to the rules governing the election of the Director, the President of the PAHO Executive Committee sent Member States, Participating States, and Associate Members an invitation to present candidates for the post of PAHO Director.
Each Member State, Participating State, and Associate Member was invited to nominate, by 1 May 2012, a candidate, who must be a citizen of a country in the Americas. On May 2, in the presence of the President of the PAHO Executive Committee, envelopes containing the nominations were opened and five candidates to the post of PAHO Director were certified.
On 22 June 2012, a Candidates Forum was held at PAHO headquarters, attended by representatives of PAHO Member States. The five proposed candidates presented their platforms, vision, policy priorities, and financial and programmatic directions for the Organization.
On Wednesday, 19 September, Member States will elect a new Director from among the following three candidates:
- Caroline Judith Chang Campos — Ecuador
- Carissa Faustina Etienne — Dominica
- Socorro Gross Galiano — Costa Rica
The person elected will begin her five-year term on 1 February 2013, replacing Dr. Mirta Roses Periago of Argentina, who has been PAHO Director since 1 February 2003.
Former PAHO Directors include Sir George Alleyne (1995-2003), Dr. Carlyle Guerra de Macedo (1983-1995), Dr. Héctor Acuña (1975-1983), Dr. Abraham Horwitz (1959-1975), Dr. Fred Soper (1947-1959), Dr. Hugh Cumming (1920-1947), Dr. Rupert Blue (1912-1920) y Dr. Walter Wyman (1902-1911). PAHO, which celebrates its 110th anniversary this year, is the world's oldest public health organization. It works with all the countries of the hemisphere to improve the health and quality of life of the peoples of the Americas and serves as the WHO Regional Office for the Americas.
