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AMEL NAJJAR

Executive Director, Founder

As the Executive Director and Founder of Children of War Foundation, Amel is engaged in all aspects of the organization, aligning her responsibilities around strategic priorities, with oversight to develop, innovate and drive implementation of the organization’s vision, goals, and key initiatives.

Amel is passionate about issues concerning sustainable development, children’s rights, secular education, empowerment, health and displacement. She has researched, volunteered and traveled extensively to nearly eighty countries.

Through her vision, Children of War Foundation provides transformative medical care and preventative health education to children and underrepresented communities.

In addition to advocating for COWF, Amel is an active Ambassador for Children's Hospital L.A., advocating for current life altering research and initiatives in neonatal and pediatric surgery. She has also worked with, volunteered, partnered and affiliated COWF with many non-governmental organizations including; UNHCR, UNICEF, Operation Smile, Solace for the Children Afghanistan, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Shriners Hospital Los Angeles, Hospital Bernard Mevs Haiti, Royal Medical Services of Jordan, Sadaqa, Ramallah Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities, American Red Cross, among others.

In addition to oversight of Children of War Foundation, Amel is an advocate for children's welfare & rights, secular education & empowerment, solving social problems of emerging market economies and sustainable economic development in underdeveloped regions. Current interest and projects include; infrastructure building in developing regions, innovative andtechnology based solutions for providing access to health care & health education, social & corporate innovative finance initiatives, impact investing specific to social enterprises, gender equality & education, and implementation of sustainable impact programs for scalable progress.

Amel’s studies include, University of California San Diego, majoring in Political Science and International Relations, with a minor emphasis in Middle East Studies. University of Oxford, Said Business School, Women Transforming Leadership programme. Graduate student (MBA 2018) at University of Oxford, Said Business School.

DR. COLIN BRADY

Medical Director and Advisor, U.S. Outreach

Dr. Colin Brady is board certified in General Surgery and board-eligible in Plastic Surgery. He is a staff surgeon at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and holds an adjunct faculty appointment at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Brady earned his doctorate in Medicine at The Ohio State University: College of Medicine and Public Health.

He then completed a 7-year General Surgery residency at Emory University Hospital. He remainedat Emory University to complete his formal training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Following, 10 years of training at Emory, he completed a fellowship in Pediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California.

Dr. Brady has co-authored a number of peer-reviewed publications and book chapters covering principles and practices of craniomaxillofacial surgery. His interests include craniofacial surgery, cleft care paradigm, orthognathic surgery, pediatric plastic surgery, and facial reanimation.

Dr. Khaldoun Haddadin

Middle East Region Medical Director

Retired Maj. Gen. Dr. Khaldoun Haddadin, BSc, MB ChB, FRCS graduated from St. Andrews (BSc 1982) and Manchester University (MB ChB 1985). He is Jordanian Board certified in General Surgery (1991) and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1995). He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England since 1996.

He completed his Post-Graduate Training in Plastic Surgery at Canniesburn Hospital, Glasgow UK. He is the President of the Jordanian Society of Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons, a Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and a Member of AO CMF; Jordan Chapter.

Currently he is a Consultant Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon in the Private Sector, Chief of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, King Hussein Cancer Center since 2003, President of the Jordanian Society of Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons and Examiner for the Jordanian Board of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery since 2010 Previous Posts include Assistant Director General of the Jordanian Royal Medical Services for Medical Affairs and Regional Medicine from Nov 2016 until retirement from Active Service in June 2017, Chairman of Dep. of Surgery, Jordanian Royal Medical Services, Dec 2013- Nov 2016 and Chief of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, King Hussein Medical Center, Oct 2009 – Dec 2013.

Dr. Haddadin serves as the leading Medical Director for Children of War Foundation in Jordan and surrounding region.

Randa
Naffa

Consultant in the areas of Gender, Advocacy and Community Organizing.

Randa is a consultant in the areas of Gender, Advocacy and Community Organizing. ‎Rana's journey with COWF began in 2013, with the organization's first international medical mission in Jordan, she has since been actively involved in COWF's outreach base in the mid east region.

She is also Co-founder of SADAQA, a non-for profit organization; based in Jordan, promoting a friendlier working environment for women and reform for child rights. Randa has been active in the social sector for over 30 years, in Jordan and across the middle east region, advocating gender equality and solutions for better working environments that promote economic development. She has published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, and has taught as an adjunct professor among other contributions to research in the areas of gender advocacy and community organizing. Randa has worked with and is active with various NGO organizations, including UNWomen, GIZ, CARE, the International Youth Foundation and Vital Voices, as well as local organizations in Jordan such as the National Council for Family Affairs,

DR. SHAWANA VALI

U.K. Outreach Director, M.E.N.A. & Europe Ambassador, Board Chair U.K.

London based, Dr. Shawana Vali is founder of the London Medi-Spa, a luxury brand, providing Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Medical solutions; written by a Board of accredited Doctors worldwide, bringing the most innovative treatments directly to the consumer. In addition to overseeing and practicing in her flagship office.

Dr. Vali is an international speaker, educator and teaching faculty associate. Dr. Vali trained at Guy’s & St. Thomas Medical School in London, and during her time there undertook a further degree in Clinical Anatomy & Neuroscience. Over the years, Dr. Vali has completed many international fellowships, from Los Angeles, South Africa, Europe, and throughout the Middle East. In addition to her love for aesthetic medical solutions, Dr. Vali is passionate about healthcare for children. Having volunteered and having active roles with NGO’s from the around the world, Dr. Vali believes that children should be a priority when it comes to advocating for the needs of the underprivileged. More on Dr. Vali can be found at the following link. http://thelondonmedispa.com/#!/home

DR. JEFFREY HAMMOUDEH

Medical Director, U.S. Outreach

Jeffrey Hammoudeh, M.D., D.D.S., F.A.C.S., is one of an elite very small group of surgeons in the United States that is board-certified in oral maxillofacial surgery as well as plastic surgery with additional craniofacial fellowship training. He is director of the Jaw Deformities Care Program within the division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Hammoudeh earned his medical and dental degrees from Northwestern University. This was followed by surgical internships in oral surgery and general surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center. Subsequent to that, he went on to complete his formal training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Harvard Program based out of the Mass General Hospital. During that training, Dr. Hammoudeh did additional training in general surgery and then subsequently utilized that foundation to do a fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Miami. After completing his double doctorate and two residencies, he then moved on to the University of Southern California at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where he completed a fellowship in pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgery.

Dr. Hammoudeh is an Associate Professor and a leader at his field at Children's Hospital Los Angeles with faculty appointment at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California as well as the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC.

In addition to his leadership positions at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Hammoudeh is a recognized leader in pediatric plastic surgery and has active research in neonatal cleft lip repair, neonatal distraction, and craniofacial reconstruction of the jaws. He is the primary investigator and the lead author and surgeon in neonatal cleft lip repair where currently children born with cleft lip and palates are able to undergo their cleft lip repair as early as two weeks of life. He has co-authored many book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, lectured nationally as well as internationally. He is a recognized leader in the field and provides cutting-edge care to children in Los Angeles.

CHRISTINA PASCUCCI

Communications, Media

Christina is an Emmy Award-nominated journalist, pilot, diver, and humanitarian. Her quest to fight for human rights has taken her from central America to Asia. She fell in love with COWF while on assignment in 2014, when she met a young Afghani girl who was receiving life-changing surgery after stepping on an IED.

Christina, who has spent the last five years at KTLA in Los Angeles, the number two market in the country, loves the heart and soul of people. Her vision is to continually effect positive change, particularly in human rights and environmental issues. She has dived with hundreds of sharks, including great whites, to expose the shark finning industry.

She traveled to Palau, an island nation near the Philippines in late 2016 to sit down with President Remengesau and discuss how other countries can emulate what Palau is doing on the front lines of climate change. Her 2015 investigative reporting into the wasteful water-use policies of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the agency changing its policy to potentially save millions of gallons of water.

One of her most memorable reports was when she was invited personally to the Dalai Lama’s palace in India for an exclusive interview with his Holiness. Her goal is to bring elevated content to the mainstream media and shine a light on human rights and environmental issues that remain largely ignored.

DR. ANDREW ORDON



Andrew Paul Ordon, M.D., F.A.C.S., ABPS, ASPS, sometimes billed as Dr. Drew Ordon, is a plastic surgeon and an Emmy-nominated co-host of the award-winning talk show The Doctors. Dr. Ordon is a diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery,

the American Board of Otolaryngology, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and the National Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. Ordon is affiliated with the University of Southern California, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California. He currently practices in Beverly Hills and Rancho Mirage, California. In addition to practicing, Dr. Ordon is an educator, currently a co-director of the Keck/USC Aesthetic Fellowship. Dr. Ordon also co-founded Surgical Friends Foundation, merging with Children of War Foundation in 2013.

NADIA NAFFA

Jordan Outreach Director

Nadia is a Jordanian-American Producer, Line Producer and Field Producer of many years locally and internationally, working with mainstream TV and reality TV, as well as various documentary films. Based between Los Angeles and Amman, Nadia has extensive experience in production consultancy, production, casting, directing, editing, landscape photography, among other entertainment specialties.

She is owner and founder or Green Bananas Productions and sits on the board of Children of War Foundation. Nadia is active with a number of Non-Governmental Organizations in Los Angeles and Jordan, having that influence by growing up in a family that is very active and successful in social change and advancement in the Mid East Region. Nadia is extremely passionate about issues that face our society today, in particular, women’s rights, disability rights, children’s rights, environment, heritage and culture She believes in using the power of media and film as a tool not only to entertain but also to educate, raise awareness and bring about positive social change. Nadia share an Emmy Award with the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Children of War Foundation on a short documentary, based on the inspiring journey of COWF’s first candidate, an Iraqi boy named Hashim, a victim of a roadside bomb. In addition to her Emmy, international Film Festival involvement and other awards, Nadia has also worked with and was mentored by Academy Award-winning director Morgan Neville and director Larry Charles. Nadia leads COWF's team in Jordan along with local team members residing in the region.

DR. MOHAMMED ENAYAT

Director of Public Health, Global Health Outreach Programs, U.K.

Co-Founder of London’s premier members only Wellness center, LMS Wellness, Dr. Enayat is a surgically-trained general practioner with a medical management degree from Imperial College London. With a desire to innovate. He is inherently focused on bringing advancements to the world of medicine.

Relentless in his pursuit of integrating the most cutting-edge, life enhancing methodologies to LMS Wellness. Dr. Enayat’s extensive training has taken him from South Africa to San Diego, where he immersed himself in stem cell technology. He established his reputation as an innovator in medicine by being awarded the opportunity to partake in the prestigious Darzi Fellowship for Clinical Leadership. Recognizing that combining multiple disciplines was key to achieving a seismic shift in health optimization, Dr. Enayat was drawn further into the world of functional medicine. Investigating the diverse methodologies to achieving infinite vitality – from ancient Eastern therapies to traditional Western medicine – has since allowed him to curate the most holistic, evidence-based wellness and performance-enhancing offering for LMS Wellness clients. Inventive yet empathetic, Dr. Enayat’s approach is rooted in providing an exemplary client journey, guiding them intelligently on their individual path to discovering their ultimate health goals. Dr. Enayat is a true visionary, ambitious and forward-thinking, who looks to the future of medicine, challenges its limitations, whilst presenting its infinite possibilities. Dr. Enayat lead’s Children of War Foundation’s Global Health and Primary Care Outreach, his responsibilities include, insuring sustainable implementation of preventable health measures, general health education and community wellness, including development of programs, curriculum and training individuals in community based initiatives.

CLAUDIA NICOLAOU

Los Angeles Outreach Director

Claudia has been involved with COWF since it's inception in 2010. Claudia was born in Cyprus where she spent her early childhood. She is an accountant educated in England. Residing in Beverly Hills, she works as a financial consultant and Private Client Realtor with numerous clients.

Having lived through a war and having become a refugee herself, “Children of War foundation” has special meaning to her. She has seen the devastation of war and understands the effects that it takes, both mentally and physically. She is the proud mother of Carl and Emile Nicolaou both successful entertainment lawyers. Both of Claudia's son are legal advisors and consultants for COWF.

DR. MARK M. URATA

Managing Director, pediatric Surgery

Dr. Mark M. Urata is the Audrey Skirball-Kenis Chair and Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

He is also Head of the Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and Director of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Urata is uniquely qualified with board certification in both Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as well as Plastic Surgery and holds faculty appointments at both the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC School of Dentistry. Dr. Urata trained for 18 years following his undergraduate education. He received his dental degree from the USC School of Dentistry and his medical degree from the USC Keck School of Medicine. He completed a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery before matriculating to general surgery and then completing a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at USC. He then moved across town where he completed a fellowship in craniofacial surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles. He specializes in the most complex craniofacial anomalies, including craniosynostosis, syndromic reconstruction, vascular anomalies, pediatric and adult craniomaxillofacial trauma, post-traumatic reconstruction, orthognathic surgery, aesthetic surgery of the head and neck and jaw deformities. Dr. Urata has authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters and has been voted amongst the nation’s top surgeons according to multiple sources including U.S. News and World Report, Best Doctors and America’s Best Plastic Surgeons. He maintains NIH funded research within the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology related to defining TGF Beta signaling in palatogenesis. He is also interested in computerized planning of Le Fort III and orthognathic surgery and outcomes studies on cleft lip and palate.

JANVI PATEL

International CSR, Legal Advisor & U.K. Outreach

 

Janvi Patel is Chairwoman and co-founder of alternative law firm and NewLaw pioneer Halebury, residing and commuting between Los Angeles and London. An employment lawyer by background, she has received and been nominated

for numerous awards for entrepreneurship. Janvi was recently been appointed to Thomson Reuter’s In-House Consultation Board and is a committee member of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Mentoring Programme and an advisor to the Children of War Foundation. Janvi is a regular contributor and speaker at industry and business forums on a range of subjects from the evolution of flexible resourcing models, to mentoring, diversity issues and women in leadership.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/janvi-patel

http://www.halebury.com/janvi-patel

 "I Am Only One; But Still I Am One. I Cannot Do Everything, But Still I Can Do Something; I Will Not Refuse To Do The Something I Can Do."

- Helen Keller

"Be The Change You Want To See In The World."

- Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

HEALTHCARE ADVISORY & GLOBAL HEALTH OUTREACH

 


DR. ANDY CHANG

Dr. Chang graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in biological sciences and continued his education at USC for medical school and residency training in urology.

Afterward, he matriculated to the prestigious pediatric urology fellowship program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania. While in Philadelphia, he distinguished himself as a superb researcher. He was also awarded a scholarship by the American Urological Association Foundation and appointed a National Institutes of Health sponsored researcher. Chang has garnered multiple awards at society and national meetings. Additionally, he has been recognized yearly as a superb clinician by his peers and patients' parents.


DR. ANDRE PANOSSIAN

Dr. Andre Panossian is a board-certified plastic surgeon who belongs to a select group of individuals with expertise in facial reanimation, brachial plexus injuries, congenital hand and vascular anomalies, burns, limb reconstruction, and cleft lip and palate surgery.

Dr. Panossian holds an appointment in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the USC Keck School of Medicine. He received his undergraduate education at UCLA and his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine. Following his residency in plastic surgery at USC, Dr. Panossian trained at the prestigious Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, where he subspecialized in pediatric plastic surgery. His research interests include exploring the clinical application of composite tissue allotransplantation and elucidating the mechanisms of cerebral adaptation following facial paralysis surgery.


DR. ANDREW BULCZYNSKI

An orthopedic surgeon with specific interest in sports injuries of the shoulder and knee, Andrew Bulczynski, M.D. joined DISC Sports and Spine in 2009.

Committed to bringing his patients back to a pain-free, optimal level of function, Dr. Bulczynski takes a conservative approach to treatment, incorporating modalities such as medication and injections. He will also refer patients to physical therapy, chiropractic treatment and/or acupuncture to repair tissues and structures whenever possible. If surgery is required, Dr. Bulczynski prefers minimally invasive and arthroscopic techniques.


DR. WILLIAM MAGEE

William Magee, III, MD, DDS, earned his dental degree at the University of Maryland, then went on to obtain his medical degree at George Washington University.

His introduction to Los Angeles began in 2001 when he entered the combined Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Program at the University of Southern California, where he has remained. After completing the six-year program, he focused his attention on craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Shriners Hospital for Children Los Angeles.


DR. JOHN REINISCH

Dr. Reinisch has nearly 35 years of experience in treating children with craniofacial deformities, cleft lips and palates, vascular tumors, pigmented birthmarks

and microtia (congenital deformity of the ear).He is known worldwide for his groundbreaking design and successful use of a biomaterial implant for ear reconstruction in very young children. After more than 25 years at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, where he established the Division of Plastic Surgery, he is now Director of Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.


DR. RICK A. FRIEDMAN

Rick A. Friedman, MD, PhD is the Medical Director of Cedars-Sinai's Cranial Base Surgery Program. He also is an Otologist/Skull Base surgeon at USC. Dr. Friedman's current research includes the study of outcomes

in the management of skull base tumors and hereditary hearing loss. He has devoted his professional life to ear and cranial base surgery as well as basic science. Dr. Friedman is a member of several ear and skull base surgery societies. He serves on committees for the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the American Otological Society, the Acoustic Neuroma Association (medical board member), the American Neurotology Society, the North American Skull Base Society, the Triological Society, and the NIH/National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) where he serves as an Ad Hoc Reviewer.


STEPHEN HADDAD, BCO

Stephen Haddad BCO, director of Ocular Prosthetics, Inc. graduated from Worcester Industrial Technical Institute and completed his training at the

American Optical Prosthetic Center in Southbridge , Massachusetts. Stephen Haddad BCO, BADO became a Board Certified Ocularist in 1991. He takes great pleasure in sharing his excellent technical and artistic abilities with his chosen team of Ocularists.Stephen continually refines the process of creating the most advanced artificial eyes available. Stephen is active in his field and participates in training new Ocularists. He is a Board Approved Diplomate Ocularist and Member of the American Society of Ocularists and actively participates in lecturing and attending meetings. He is internationally known for his exceptional work in creating the most natural artificial eyes.


SARA ABI KANNAN

Sara abi kanaan is a Lebanese actress who has starred in several middle eastern series since the age of eleven and has won several prestigious awards, globally.

In addition to being an artist, Sara holds degrees in medical laboratories sciences and pharmacy and has volunteered with several NGOs, volunteering for many humanitarian entities. She is an advocate for COWF, spreading awareness about the needs of children’s health care and health education throughout the Mid East region, and giving a voice to families who have been displaced. Sara’s advocacy represents COWF’s vision and mission, to provide equal access to health care and health education for all children, regardless of race, religion or ability to pay.
Info@cowf.org


ILAHA OMAR

Ilaha Eli Omar is an Afghan-born entrepreneur and global humanitarian. Despite having left Afghanistan at 40 days old, she remains closely tied to and in passionate pursuit of the country's multifaceted humanitarian needs and rebuilding efforts, especially within its rural parts.

In addition, Eli regularly visits impoverished countries, donating relief supplies, assessing on-the-ground realities and connecting with the most impoverished and disenfranchised. In addition to her homeland, she has led multiple donation drives for post-tsunami Sri Lanka; helped ship medical supplies to orphanages in Burundi; traveled to post-earthquake Haiti, having worked with children orphaned by the devastating earthquake, and addressed female hygiene and cholera safety within its internment camps. Through her global MBA program, Eli has become an integral leader with Project Artemis, a mentorship program counseling enterprising Afghan women to self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship and leadership within their own communities. Currently Eli is working on accelerating the impact of the Children of War Foundation and supporting the development of new programs, capacity building and expand initiatives more globally.
Info@cowf.org

DR. POONAM MANWANI
Research; Pediatric & Internal Medicine

To reach additional Medical Advisory members contact team@cowf.org

Mental Health Advisory

Advisory Committee & Officers

Production

JUSTIN SHAFFER, CPA
COWF Accounting

Ambassadors

Legal Advisory

Highschool & Universtiy COWF Chapters

Logistics

KAYLA SAMIMI INTERN

Social Media

Public Health and Prevention

Interns

Pediatric Dentistry

For specific information or details from members of our greater Global Health Outreach Team, contact us at info@cowf.org

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