Dr Gevorg Tamamyan, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University and Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily, announced about his candidacy as the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), nominated by Government of Botswana.
Dr Tamamyan is also the CEO of the Immune Oncology Research Institute, the President of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology Asia Branch (SIOP Asia), the President of The Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group, which unites 28 countries and 110 cancer centers, the Co-Chair of the St Jude EURO Regional Advisory Committee uniting 13 European countries, and the Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Cancer and Crisis (ICC).
Below is featured his message shared on LinkedIn:
“I am honored to announce my candidacy for Director-General of the World Health Organization, nominated by the Republic of Botswana.
I am deeply grateful to President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko and the Government of Botswana for their trust.
Botswana has shown the world what determined national leadership can achieve in the face of extraordinary health challenges.
I am honored to be nominated by a country with such a powerful story of resilience and progress.
I have spent my career as a pediatric oncologist, building care in places where resources were limited and communities were underserved. I have seen children survive when few believed they would.
And I have seen children die simply because of where they were born.
Geography must not decide who lives.
Growing up, the words ‘recommended by WHO‘ meant trust.
Today, in a world of misinformation and eroding confidence in institutions, we must ensure that the world continues to have WHO – stronger, more agile, and better aligned with today’s realities.
My vision is clear:
A World Health Organization that delivers – faster, more effectively, and in true partnership with Member States – so that progress in health reaches every person, everywhere.
It is also an honor to stand alongside such distinguished candidates, each bringing important experience and perspectives to this process.
In the months ahead, I look forward to listening to and engaging with Member States across every region of the world.
Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan.”
Read Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s August editorial “The Hidden Gem in the Land of Gems: A Harvard-trained human rights lawyer is opening Botswana’s doors to the biomedical industry — and the world should be paying attention” in the OncoDaily Magazine.
Watch HRH Princess Dina Mired’s interview with Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan: The Man Who Challenged Cancer Hierarchies
About Dr Gevorg Tamamyan
Dr Gevorg Tamamyan, MD, MSc, PhD, DSc, FASCO, is a prospective candidate for the post of Director-General of the World Health Organization, nominated by the Republic of Botswana. He is a global leader in oncology, health systems strengthening, and international health cooperation, recognized for building bridges between countries and advancing equitable cancer care in resource-limited settings.
Dr. Tamamyan is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University and CEO of the Immune Oncology Research Institute (IMMONC).
He is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily, one of the world’s largest oncology media platforms, created to democratize access to reliable, independent, and evidence-based cancer information globally.
Dr. Tamamyan was elected and currently serves as President of two major international pediatric oncology organizations: the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Asia Continental Branch, representing pediatric oncology professionals across Asia, and the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group, uniting 28 countries and 110 cancer centers. He also serves as Co-Chair of the St. Jude EURO Regional Advisory Committee, encompassing 13 European countries.
At the age of 32, Dr. Tamamyan was appointed Head of the Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia, where he led the consolidation of previously fragmented pediatric oncology and hematology services into a single national center. Under his leadership, the Center evolved into a regional reference point, with survival rates reaching up to 80%.
He also co-founded City of Smile, a national pediatric cancer charity that helps ensure universal coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of every child and young adult with cancer in Armenia.
Dr. Tamamyan is Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Cancer and Crisis and an adviser to the Rector of Yerevan State Medical University. He previously served as President of the Harvard Club of Armenia.
Educated and trained across seven countries in Europe, North America, and Asia, his professional journey spans frontline clinical practice, research, academic leadership, national cancer center management, global health diplomacy, and institution building.
He is the recipient of numerous international awards and distinctions, including Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO); ASCO LIFe and IDEA Awards; UICC and IARC Young Leader Awards; the 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award; the Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM) Award for Global Oncology Leadership; and the Global Health Catalyst Distinguished Leader Award.
He is married and has two daughters, Charlize and Letizia.