On 22 June 2012 the following five candidates nominated for the post of Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau participated in the Candidates' Forum:

  • Caroline Judith Chang Campos (Ecuador)
  • Carissa Faustina Etienne (Dominica)
  • Socorro Gross Galiano (Costa Rica)
  • María Julia Muñoz Melo (Uruguay)
  • Oscar Raúl Ugarte Ubilluz (Peru)

The Member States of PAHO will elect the next Director of PASB at the 28th Pan American Sanitary Conference, to be held 17-21 September 2012 at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The candidate elected will begin a five-year mandate on 1 February 2013, replacing Dr. Mirta Roses Periago, of Argentina, who has served in the post since 1 February 2003.

As President of the Executive Committee of PAHO, Venezuela's  Vice Minister of Collective Public Health, Dr. Miriam Cecilia Morales de Mavares, opened the Candidates' Forum, subsequently delegating responsibility for conducting the Forum to Mr. Leandro Luiz Viegas, delegate of Brazil, in his capacity as Vice President of the Executive Committee.

Under the Rules Governing the Election Process for the Post of Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau, the nominated candidates were invited to make a presentation to all Member States, Participating States, and Associate Members attending the Candidates' Forum, either in person or virtually.

The candidates presented the platforms, visions, policy priorities, and financial and programmatic direction that they propose for the Organization.

The order of the presentations was decided by lot at the beginning of the Forum. Each candidate had 30 minutes to give an oral presentation, followed by an hour to answer questions from the Member States, Participating States, and Associate Members.