Following Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s recent announcement of his candidacy for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), colleagues and members of the global oncology community have continued to share messages of support.
Among them, Dr. Yelena Janjigian, Chief of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, also shared her warm words of support.
“I first met Gevorg Tamamyan more than a decade ago at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). He came up to me and told me how meaningful it was for him to see a fellow Armenian on that stage. We connected immediately, and over the years he has become a close friend.
I have also seen firsthand the difference Gevorg has made in the care of children with leukemia, including during wartime and throughout the pandemic. What has always stood out to me is his extraordinary drive to make the world better, his constant innovation, infectious energy, optimism, and remarkable ability to bring people together.
I am incredibly proud to see Gevorg Tamamyan nominated for Director-General of the World Health Organization and to see his vision for improving health brought to a truly global stage. I support this nomination wholeheartedly.”
About Yelena Janjigian
Dr. Yelena Janjigian is an internationally recognized medical oncologist, Chief of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine.
A prominent expert in gastric and esophageal cancers, Dr. Janjigian led the landmark Phase III CheckMate 649 and MATTERHORN trials, helping advance immunotherapy-based treatment strategies in gastrointestinal cancers. Her contributions have been recognized with honors including Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO), the Debbie’s Dream Foundation Medical Award, and the Cycle for Survival Grant 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 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.
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