As promised Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan continues to tell the stories as part of his campaign as WHO Director-General candidate.
The second story is about Princess Dina Mired of Jordan.
“As I promised, during this journey I want to tell stories.
Stories about people in global health who are changing the world and making it a better place.
Today, I want to tell you about Her Royal Highness Princess Dina Mired of Jordan.
Princess Dina hardly needs an introduction.
But I want to tell you about the Princess Dina I have been fortunate to know: a great mentor, a dear friend, and someone who has believed in me and guided me throughout my journey.
We first met in Lyon, at the 50th anniversary of the IARC – International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization. I had been selected as one of IARC’s “50 for 50” young leaders. I was just a young guy from Armenia, and Princess Dina was the guest of honor.
After her opening address, I approached her, introduced myself, and said I was from Armenia.
That was it.
About an hour later, I saw her sitting in a café with a member of her team. I went over again, and somehow I found myself asking:
“Would you come to Armenia?”
She looked at me and said:
“Of course I will come.”
I wasn’t sure I believed it
But she came.
That taught me something about Princess Dina very early: her word matters. If she gives it, she keeps it.
We organized a major survivorship congress in Armenia, and her visit gave an enormous push to what we were trying to build.
Many years have passed since then.
Somewhere along the way, Princess Dina became one of those people I know I can always call.
“Princess Dina, I don’t understand how this works.”
“Princess Dina, I need your advice.”
And very often, the answer comes right away:
“Let’s get on Zoom.”
Behind this incredible human being is also an extraordinary global health leader.
As the mother of a cancer survivor, she turned a deeply personal experience into a lifetime of advocacy. She championed cancer care in Jordan through the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and became the first Arab woman to serve as President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
But for me, the most important thing can’t be written after her name.
She genuinely cares.
When I decided to take this new journey, traveling the world to listen, learn, and share my ideas about the future of WHO, Princess Dina gave me another beautiful gift.
She invited me onto her podcast and gave me the space to simply tell my story.
If you have time, please watch our conversation. It is one of the most personal ways to understand who I am and what has shaped me.
Your Royal Highness, thank you for your mentorship and your friendship. Thank you for believing in me, guiding me, and always being there when I need advice and help.
And thank you for showing, through your own example, that great leadership can also be deeply human.
The world is a more wonderful place because there are people like Princess Dina in it.”
See the first story about his wife Lilya.
Watch HRH Princess Dina Mired’s interview with Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan: The Man Who Challenged Cancer Hierarchies
Dr Gevorg Tamamyan is Nominated as a Candidate for WHO Director-General Position
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.