About Us

Our Journey

It All Started with a Mission to Heal Hearts
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In 2015, our parent organization, Gift of Life International, began its work in Jordan, identifying a growing need to address congenital heart disease (CHD) among children in Jordan and the surrounding region, especially in light of the refugee crisis. Recognizing the urgency of this need, we established Gift of Life International – Jordan to carry out periodic missions and to provide specialized training for local healthcare professionals. Through our global network and strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations, we strive to reach and cure more children in need, transforming lives and healing little hearts.
What Distinguishes Our Future Vision
In 2022, we realized Jordan’s need to establish a sustainable pediatric cardiac surgery program so that our medical system would be able to cover the annual numbers of children suffering from congenital heart defects. As well as for Jordan to have a fully independent medical staff to treat surgical cases without relying on international missions. Accordingly, we began working in cooperation with the Jordan University Hospital and the support of Gift of Life International, to establish a sustainable program, by attracting Jordanian medical competencies, as well as training the cardiac staff of the Jordan University Hospital, to lay the foundation stone of the program.

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What Distinguishes Our Future Vision
Our Purpose: Whatever it takes to heal the heart of the next child in need…
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As one of the 84 active chapters of Gift of Life International (GOLI) – Jordan is committed to offering hope to children suffering from heart disease, regardless of gender, religion, or nationality. By organizing charitable missions for heart surgeries with local and international medical teams, we are helping build sustainable cardiac surgery, catheterization, and pediatric aftercare programs in Jordan.

We also facilitate knowledge exchange with local medical professionals to continually improve patient care and outcomes. Our work is made possible by a 100% volunteer team, partnering with world-class surgeons, doctors, and healthcare experts who generously donate their time and skills to provide life-saving treatments for children with CHD.
Understanding CHD
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect globally, affecting 1 in every 100 babies born. CHD is also the leading cause of death for children under the age of one, with approximately 25% of affected children requiring surgical intervention to survive. At Gift of Life International – Jordan, we provide these critical interventions, ensuring that children have a better chance for a healthy future.

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Understanding CHD

Our Team

Board of Directors

Rob Raylman

CEO,
Gift of Life International - USA

Rob has led Gift of Life International as CEO since 2008. With a background in political science from Hobart College, Rob has built a career centered on public service and sustainable program development. In his role, he has established pediatric cardiac surgery programs in countries across the globe, including Bolivia, Panama, the Philippines, Romania, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

Na’el Musharbash

Chairman,
Gift of Life International - Jordan

Na’el Musharbash is a civil engineer and real estate developer. His journey in community service began with Gift of Life Amman (GOLA), where he helped change the lives of over 300 children with CHD from 2016 to 2020. Now, as Chairman of Gift of Life International – Jordan, he continues to lead efforts in collaboration with our US-based mother organization to expand life-saving care across Jordan.

Ruba Karadsheh

Vice-Chairman,
Gift of Life International - Jordan

An interior designer by profession, Ruba’s passion for charity work blossomed through a school-based initiative that supported children in need of heart surgeries. For over eight years, she has been a driving force in our efforts to extend our services in Jordan, particularly in response to the region’s refugee crisis.

Muhannad Mudallal

Director,
Gift of Life International – Jordan

With over 37 years of experience in operations management, logistics, trading, and risk management, Muhannad brings expertise in humanitarian partnerships and NGO collaboration. In addition to his professional roles with various international corporations in his business, he has held key liaison roles with organizations such as the World Food Programme, UNRWA, Japanese Aid, and the European Commission. Muhannad is also the founder of Blackstone IMGF and was actively involved with “Operation Smile – Jordan,” a charity offering surgeries to children with facial deformities.

Medical Team

Dr. Iyad Al-Ammouri

Interventional Pediatric Cardiologist
Jordan University Hospital, Jordan

Dr. Mohammed Ghanamah

Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon
St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, USA

Professor Victor Tsang

Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, UK
Vice-Chairman of Chain of Hope

Dr. Muhammed Absi

Pediatric Cardiologist and Critical Care
LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, USA

Dr. Umar Boston

Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, USA

Dr. Vaughn Starnes

Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, USA

Dr. Leila Tutanji

Pediatric Cardiologist
Jordan University Hospital, Jordan

Dr. Pierre Wong

Pediatric Cardiologist
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, USA

Volunteers

Mrs. Heba Al Ma’aita

Social Support and Health Awareness

Mr. Saed Karadsheh

Patient Coordinator

Our Partners

Our work would not be possible without the support and collaboration of our dedicated partners. Together with hospitals, medical teams, and charitable organizations worldwide, we unite to bring life-saving care to children in need.

Through these partnerships, we can expand our reach, share knowledge, and make a lasting impact on countless young lives. At Gift of Life International – Jordan, we are proud to work alongside such compassionate and committed partners who share our mission of healing hearts and transforming futures.

Gift of Life International – Jordan:
Transforming the lives of children with congenital heart disease through life-saving care and sustainable medical programs.

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