The international oncology community continues to voice its support for Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for WHO Director-General.
Pietro Presti, CEO of Sharing Progress in Cancer Care (SPCC), also expressed his support.
“I am proud to support my friend Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).
What I particularly appreciate in Gevorg is his combination of clinical experience, international vision and commitment to making global health more equitable, transparent and accountable.
From cancer prevention and care to stronger health systems and improved access to essential treatments, the challenges facing WHO require collaboration across countries, institutions and health systems, as well as a clear focus on delivering results.
Gevorg’s career reflects these values, and I believe they are essential to building trust and turning global health commitments into meaningful action.
Wishing my friend Gevorg every success in this important journey.”
About Pietro Presti
Pietro Presti serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Sharing Progress in Cancer Care (SPCC), an independent Swiss non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating knowledge integration and promoting innovation across the entire cancer care continuum. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Istion Ventures, where he guides venture development and growth across the healthcare and MedTech sectors.
Additionally, he is an Adjunct Professor at Università degli Studi di Torino, serves as a Strategic Advisor and Scientific Committee Member at Bioindustry Park Silvano Fumero S.p.A. Società Benefit, and acts as General Manager of Fondazione Edo ed Elvo Tempia.
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