About
Learn about our director's vision and impact through media coverage, interviews, and public appearances that highlight our work at Children's Village Gaza.
Dr. David Hasan
Founder & Medical Director of Children's Village Gaza
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Senior Neurosurgeon at Duke University
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Fellowship-trained in open cerebrovascular and endovascular surgery
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Published 270+ peer-reviewed articles
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Multiple NIH research grants
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Editorial board member of high-impact medical journals
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International humanitarian volunteer
"My body left Gaza but my heart is still in Gaza with Gaza's orphans, unaccompanied minors and the children with complex medical needs." - Dr. David Hasan
BIO
Dr. Hasan is a scientist neurosurgeon with extensive expertise in managing cerebrovascular diseases and skull base tumors. He is fellowship-trained in open cerebrovascular, endovascular, and skull base neurosurgery, with experience treating over 3,000 brain aneurysms using innovative techniques, including awake surgery.
An international authority in cerebrovascular research, Dr. Hasan has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications indexed on PubMed, received multiple NIH grants, and serves on the editorial boards of several high-impact medical and surgical journals.
Since October 7, he has devoted himself to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and fostering hope between Palestinians and Israelis. Dr. Hasan was among the first surgeons to enter Gaza after the onset of the conflict, completing two medical missions since then. His efforts have facilitated the delivery of millions of dollars’ worth of medications, food, surgical equipment, dialysis units, neonatal incubators, salaries for Gaza’s neurosurgeons, and other essential resources.
Dr. Hasan also established the only coalition of international NGOs—including Palestinian, Israeli, American, and European organizations—dedicated to addressing Gaza’s humanitarian needs. He currently leads a multi-governmental initiative to build the Gaza Children’s Village, which will provide shelter, education, and healthcare for 20,000 orphans, unaccompanied minors, and children with complex medical needs. The village will feature housing, a school with a peace-oriented curriculum, the first dedicated children’s field hospital, a rehabilitation center, and recreational spaces.
Additionally, Dr. Hasan co-founded Lumflies, a platform designed to foster collaboration and hope between Palestinians and Israelis, working toward a brighter future.
OUR BOARD of directors
Leading with Vision, Making an Impact: Meet the Board of Children's Village Gaza.
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Dr. Maryam Rahman
Maryam Rahman MD has the title of associate professor in the department of neurosurgery at the University of Florida (UF). Dr. Rahman received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University, and attended medical school and completed a neurosurgical residency at UF.
After residency, Dr. Rahman completed a surgical neuro-oncology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Rahman specializes in the care of patients with brain tumors and her lab is dedicated to finding a cure for brain tumors. She was the first female president of the Florida Neurosurgical Society. She was on the executive committee of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and is currently president of Women in Neurosurgery.
Dr. Shatha Yousef
Dr. Yousef is a board-certified pediatric pulmonologist with over 15 years of experience in pediatric pulmonology. She earned her medical degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology and completed her pediatric residency at Michigan State University and pediatric pulmonology Fellowship at University of Miami.
Dr. Yousef serves as the Director of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Program, and specializes in other respiratory diseases such as asthma, and chronic lung diseases in children. She is skilled in performing diagnostic and therapeutic flexible bronchoscopies. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Yousef is involved in trainee education and mentoring, CF clinical research, and leads multiple QI efforts in the division of pediatric pulmonology.
She is fluent in both Arabic and English.
Our TEam
Surraya MINHAS
Surraya Minhas brings a distinguished track record of leadership and project management to The Gaza Children's Village. With a versatile background in healthcare operations and humanitarian work, she offers the strategic insight and hands-on experience needed to lead meaningful initiatives. Surraya holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration and currently serves as President of HERO Global, a nonprofit actively providing aid on the ground in Gaza.
In just four months, she coordinated the delivery of 20 water trucks, organized iftar meals for 1,000 civilians, distributed Ramadan baskets to 60 families, and hosted two joy-filled days of treats and activities for children in North Gaza. Prior to her leadership at HERO Global, Surraya cultivated trusted relationships with local communities to implement projects such as constructing a bathroom facility for displaced civilians, delivering five water trucks, distributing olive oil and fish meals, organizing two fun days with diaper distributions, and establishing a solar-powered water system for sustainable access.
Her unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for underserved populations aligns seamlessly with the mission of The Gaza Children's Village.