Global oncology leaders, colleagues, and healthcare professionals worldwide continue to express their support for Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for WHO Director-General.
Dr. Tezer Kutluk, Pediatric oncologist, Chair of the Scientific Board at Medicana Health Group in Istanbul, and Past President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC),also voiced his endorsement.
“I first met Gevorg more than ten years ago at a symposium at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Even then, his motivation, enthusiasm, and dedication were unmistakable.
In 2016, during my presidency of UICC, he participated in the World Cancer Congress and the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit as one of the Young Leaders selected through a competitive process.
Our paths subsequently crossed through POEM and SIOP, and we have worked together on numerous international projects.
It was clear from those early encounters that he had the potential to make a lasting impact. What he has accomplished over the past decade is truly remarkable. Through the team he has built and the projects he has led, he has grown from a regional leader into a global leader whose recognition is thoroughly deserved.
His intelligence, determination, and, above all, his enduring enthusiasm have made him an influential voice in global oncology. Having witnessed his development and achievements firsthand, I wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy for WHO Director-General. I am confident that, if elected, he would serve with vision, energy, and an unwavering commitment to improving health worldwide.
I wish you every success, Gevorg Tamamyan.”
About Prof. Dr. M. Tezer Kutluk
Prof. Dr. M. Tezer Kutluk is an internationally acclaimed pediatric oncologist, healthcare executive, and global health leader who serves as the Chair of the Scientific Board at Medicana Health Group in Istanbul. He previously held the role of CEO at Hacettepe University Hospitals, where he directed operations and helped shape clinical oncology standards across the region.
From 2014 to 2016, he served as President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), becoming the first Turkish leader to direct the world’s largest and oldest international cancer NGO. His global advocacy also includes serving as President of the Association of European Cancer Leagues, acting as a founding board member of the NCD Alliance, and contributing extensively to World Health Organization advisory groups and the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Review on NCDs.
Dr. Kutluk has been named an Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He also serves as an Associate Editor for ASCO’s Journal of Global Oncology and ecancer, having authored more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific papers that have garnered over 11,000 academic citations.
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