Following the announcement of Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), global healthcare leaders continue to express their support and excitement for his vision to transform global health and oncology care.
Joining colleagues from around the world, Dr. Erika Ruiz-Garcia, Professor of Gastrointestinal Oncology and Head of the Translational Medicine Department at the National Cancer Institute of Mexico (INCan), shared her warm words of encouragement:
“He is a great person, and the WHO needs someone like him. With his vision, he can help bring about change for the good of people everywhere.”
About Dr Erika Ruiz-Garcia
Dr. Erika Ruiz-Garcia, MD, FASCO, is Chief Academic Officer, Head of the Translational Medicine Laboratory, and Professor in the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan). She served as Education Program Committee Chair for the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.
As a gastrointestinal medical oncologist and researcher, she has contributed to ASCO guidelines on colorectal cancer treatment and served on ESMO’s Scientific Committee for Lower GI Tumors. Her contributions also include reviewing NCCN frameworks for pancreatic and gastric cancers, serving as Mexico’s principal investigator for the international LEGACy research consortium, and mentoring physicians and researchers.
She has secured over US$1 million in competitive research funding, served as Mexico’s principal investigator for the Horizon 2020 LEGACy consortium and co-investigator on an NIH-funded trial, and mentored medical residents while advising 24 graduates on their theses.
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.
Read more about Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s WHO candidacy:
Dr Gevorg Tamamyan is Nominated as a Candidate for WHO Director-General Position
Watch HRH Princess Dina Mired’s interview with Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan: The Man Who Challenged Cancer Hierarchies