Judy Habib, Chair, Board of Directors at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Former Chairman, CEO of the KHJ Brand Activation, gives her warm congratulations to Dr. Gevord Tamamyan upon his recent nomination as candidate as WHO Director-General.
Colleagues across the world are joining to congratulate him as WHO Director-General candidate.
Recently, St. Jude Board Chair Judy Habib wrote about the announcement:
Vision. Integrity. Drive.
And you know how to communicate to inspire, and get things done. You would be a great choice.
About Board Chair Judy Habib
Judy Habib is a Chair, Board of Directors at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, board member at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. She is the co-founder and former long-time CEO of KHJ Brand Activation, a Boston-based strategic branding agency.
As Chair of the Board of Directors, Judy Habib holds fiduciary and strategic oversight over St. Jude’s historic $12.9 billion strategic expansion. ALSAC (the fundraising arm that secures over $3billion annually) from 2019 to 2021, and subsequently transitioning to Chair of the St. Jude Board of Governors, she became the first woman in history to lead both elite boards.
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.
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