Assistant Director-General, Health Systems and Services, at the World Health Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr Carissa Etienne, has been elected director of the Pan American Health Organisation, succeeding Argentine national Dr Mirta Roses.
Dr Etienne, a Dominican national, brings a wealth of experience and understands the issues affecting small countries in the Caribbean such as HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and immunisation. She will commence her five-year tenure on February 1, 2013.
This is the second time a Caribbean national is holding the post, the first being Sir George Alleyne. Dr Roses, who succeeded Sir George, has served for 10 years and has done a lot for the development