Dr Gevorg Tamamyan, Candidate for WHO Director-General, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University and Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily, recently shared his recent CancerWorld interview with Professor Loizos Loizou, Head of Cyprus International Action Plan for Children with Cancer at ELPIDA Foundation for Children with Cancer,and warmely thanked him for his friendship and continuous support.
“Today I want to tell you the story of Professor Loizos Loizou: a wonderful person, a true doer, and someone who helped make pediatric oncology in Cyprus a great success, and who is now turning that experience into helping others around the world.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Loizos, and I will mention just one sentence, leaving the rest for you to read:
‘We’re a small country, but today I believe there are no small and big countries. There are small and big initiatives. It all depends on the people.’
I loved this.
Loizos has a huge heart. We have actually never met in person, but even without meeting each other, he is my friend, my dear friend.
When I first told him about my idea of running for World Health Organization Director-General, he immediately became one of the strongest believers in me and one of my biggest supporters.
Loizos, thank you so much for your huge heart, your kindness, your friendship, and for always believing that big things can start from small places.
And yes, it all depends on the people. Geography must not decide who lives.”
To which Professor Loizos Loizou responded with supportive statement.
“Dear Gevorg,
Thank you very much for these deeply touching words.
Our friendship and cooperation, even before we have had the opportunity to meet in person, show once again what can happen when people are united by common values and a shared determination to make a difference.
I firmly believe that geography should never determine a persons chances in health and that meaningful change can begin anywhere, when there are people with vision, commitment and the courage to act.
You can count on my continued support, and I will be very glad to contribute wherever my experience can be useful in advancing this vision for global health.
Thank you, my dear friend, and I wish you strength and every success on the road ahead.”
About Professor Loizos Loizou
Professor Loizos Loizou is a Cypriot pediatric oncologist, hematologist, and Clinical Professor at the University of Nicosia Medical School in Cyprus. He founded and serves as President of the ELPIDA Foundation for Children and Adolescents with Cancer, through which he established Cyprus’s first specialized pediatric cancer care infrastructure. He also leads the Cyprus International Action Plan for Children with Cancer to improve pediatric oncology care and outcomes worldwide.
Professor Loizou serves as President of the Doctors’ Information and Education Group within the Cyprus Medical Association’s Paediatric Society. On the international stage, he acts as a SIOP Europe Ambassador for Children with Cancer as well as a Global Ambassador for Health for AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association).
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
CancerWorld September Issue Explores What Comes After Childhood Cancer Survival
Watch HRH Princess Dina Mired’s interview with Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan: The Man Who Challenged Cancer Hierarchies