Colleagues, mentees, and members of the global oncology community continue to extend their warm congratulations and support to 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, on his candidacy for Director-General of the World Health Organization.
Joining the statements of endorsement, Foorquan Hashmi, RMO at Buddha Cancer Centre and former Senior Editor at OncoDaily India Bureau, reflected on his mentor’s visionary guidance and ability to turn ambitious ideas into reality.
“Some people lead. Some people inspire. And then there are people who make you believe that the impossible is simply a matter of time.
I am incredibly happy and proud to congratulate my mentor, Prof. Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan, on his nomination by Botswana as a candidate for Director-General of the World Health Organization.
When I first met him, what struck me was not his titles or accomplishments. It was how kind, humble, and down-to-earth he was. Over time, I came to realize that this kindness is accompanied by something equally remarkable: an almost unstoppable belief in what can be achieved.
I remember the early days of OncoDaily, when it was still budding and we were trying to organize an event. At one point, we couldn’t get the place or permission we needed.
I remember him simply saying:
՛Don’t worry. Next year, we will have it in the USA.՛
(The photo in the gallery is of the same meeting)
And the next year, we did. We had an OncoDaily event and celebration in Chicago.
That moment stayed with me, not because of the event itself, but because it showed me something about him. He doesn’t just dream about possibilities. He finds a way to make them real. And perhaps what I value most about him as a mentor is the way he brings out the best in the people around him.
When you work with him, you are encouraged to think bigger, aim higher, take initiative, and believe that your ideas are worth pursuing. I am certain that so many people who have worked with him at OncoDaily would say the same: he has a way of bringing out the best in his team.
And that makes me wonder: If he can bring out the best in the people he mentors and the teams he builds, imagine what he could bring out on a global scale.
Imagine the possibilities for global health when that same vision, energy, generosity, and determination are directed toward one of the world’s greatest health institutions.
Congratulations, Professor, on this remarkable nomination. I am incredibly grateful to have learned from you, worked with you, and witnessed firsthand the way you turn ambitious ideas into reality.
Wishing you the very best on this journey. The world needs people who dare to think bigger, and then do the work to make those ideas happen.”
About Foorquan Hashmi
Dr. Md Foorquan Hashmi is a Resident Medical Officer (RMO) at Buddha Cancer Centre Pvt. Ltd. He started at OncoDaily sicne day one and became a core member in a short time serving as an Editor and Social Media Team Lead for over a year.
As a young medical student at YSMU, he stepped into major leadership roles, serving as President of the Faculty Council of International Students, advising the YSMU Research Department, and co-founding the YSMU Cardiology Society.
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
