Global colleagues continue to express their support for Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for WHO Director-General.
Mina Sedrak, Director of the UCLA Center for Cancer and Aging, also shares a personal story about their first meeting.
“Thank you, Gevorg Tamamyan, for these kind words about Egypt. As someone born in Egypt, I was so proud to read this. It also reminded me of the first time I met you.
A few years ago, my wife and I were in Wadi Rum, Jordan. We were on a desert truck with another couple. I had no idea who you were. The driver was going really fast, and your wife’s hat flew off. Instead of letting it go, you stopped the driver, jumped out of the back, and ran to get her hat.
Later that trip, I met you at an award event. That’s when I learned who you were and how much you have contributed to the field.
It was a simple act of kindness and commitment. A reflection of the kind of person you are.
I see the same care in your work. You brought Armenia’s pediatric cancer care under one roof. You made sure no family has to stop treatment because of cost. You trained pediatric oncologists to build their careers at home. And your impact on children with cancer in Armenia has been remarkable.
Your leadership has transformed outcomes for children with cancer in Armenia.”
About Mina Sedrak
Mina Sedrak, M.D., M.S., FASCO, is Director of the UCLA Center for Cancer and Aging. Before joining UCLA, Dr. Sedrak held academic and leadership positions at City of Hope, where he served as Deputy Director of the Center for Cancer and Aging and as an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research.
He also serves as Vice Chair of the Alliance Cancer in the Older Adult Committee, Co-Chair of the Analytics Core of the Cancer and Aging Research Group, and Chair of the ASCO Clinical Research Committee. His honors include the Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award from the National Institute on Aging, the Susan G. Komen Rising Star Researcher Award, and the King Hussein Cancer Research Award. His research also includes leading major NIH-funded initiatives focused on advancing precision cancer care.
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 31, 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