The global healthcare community continues to express its support for Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for WHO Director-General.
Yeva Margaryan, Managing Editor of the Journal of Breakthroughs in Medicine & Science, reflects on Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s longstanding commitment to helping patients and the trust he has earned over the years:
“You may think this is part of a campaign, another display of the false humility so common these days. But that’s not Gevorg.
In Armenia, everyone knows Gevorg, and many know that I know him. For almost ten years, hardly a month has passed without someone asking me to reach out to him on behalf of a cancer patient, for a second opinion, treatment abroad, faster test results, or access to medication.
And every time, he helps.
He responds within minutes. Wherever he is, whoever he’s meeting, however busy his day. And somehow, he finds a solution.
But what takes him minutes solve is built on years of trust, respect, and relationships with people willing to do for him what they wouldn’t do for anyone else.
That kind of trust takes a lifetime to earn. And Gevorg’s lifetime is measured in the lives he has saved or made better.”
About Yeva Margaryan
Yeva Margaryan is the Managing Editor of the Journal of Breakthroughs in Medicine & Science and leads media content strategy at Arc Nouvel Clinical Development Consulting. Her editorial background includes prior roles as Managing Editor at CancerWorld and Senior Editor at OncoDaily, alongside her work coordinating multidisciplinary tumor boards at the Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia.
Beyond her publishing leadership, Margaryan co-founded and directed The Institute of Cancer and Crisis (ICC) in Yerevan, establishing critical initiatives to maintain cancer care delivery and patient advocacy during humanitarian emergencies. She also served as a Youth Ambassador for the European Code Against Cancer with the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL).
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