Recognition of Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) continues across the oncology community.
Nagi El Saghir, Professor at the American University of Beirut, also shared his support:
“Full support for Gevorg Tamamyan candidate for election World Health Organization Secretary- General! Dr Gevorg Tamamyan trustworthy! Great vision to fulfill high expectations.”
About Dr Nagi El Saghir
Dr. Nagi S. El-Saghir, MD, FACP, FASCO, is Professor of Clinical Medicine, Head of the Division of Hematology-Oncology, and Director of the Breast Center of Excellence at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC). He has fundamentally shaped global oncology practice by publishing the first landmark epidemiological studies and BRCA germline mutation data on breast cancer in Lebanon and the Arab region, establishing multidisciplinary tumor boards in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and co-authoring resource-stratified guidelines with ASCO and ESMO to improve cancer care access in low- and middle-resource countries worldwide.
In addition to his clinical research, Dr. El-Saghir has built critical regional oncology infrastructure as the founding president of the Lebanese Society of Medical Oncology, co-founder of the Arab Medical Association Against Cancer, founder of the Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation, and founder and director of the annual Beirut Breast Cancer Conference. He is also a Founding Member and Vice-President for Research of the Africa Middle East Cancer Research Intergroup (AMCI). He has held major international leadership positions, including Chair of the ASCO International Affairs Committee and member of the ESMO Developing Countries Task Force. He has been recognized through prestigious honors, including Lebanon’s National Medal of Honor (Wissam Al-Istihqaq), the FASCO designation from ASCO, the CNRS Excellence in Cancer Research Award, and the AMAAC Excellence in Cancer Research Award.
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