Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Ghassan Abu-Sittah is a British-Palestinian plastic and reconstructive surgeon known for his expertise in craniofacial surgery, cleft lip and palate repair, and trauma treatment. He is also a leading educator in conflict medicine and currently serves as Rector of the University of Glasgow. Born in 1969 in Kuwait, he comes from Palestinian refugee roots. He earned his medical degree at the University of Glasgow in 1993, completed residency in London, and completed fellowships in pediatric craniofacial and trauma surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Royal London Hospital. He spent over a decade in Beirut as Associate Professor and head of reconstructive surgery at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. There, he co-founded the Conflict Medicine Program and led the pediatric war injuries clinic. Since 2020, he practices and lectures in the UK and holds academic appointments at Imperial College and King’s College London. Abu-Sittah is known for volunteering in conflict zones including Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen. During the 2023 Gaza war, he served with Doctors Without Borders at Al-Shifa Hospital. He has treated thousands under fire and documented war-related injuries in international forums. He has authored key textbooks such as *Reconstructing the War Injured Patient* and *The War Injured Child*. His humanitarian leadership extends to World Health Organization trauma initiatives and board roles with INARA and Medical Aid for Palestinians. Through his clinical practice, research, and public advocacy, Ghassan Abu-Sittah continues to transform conflict medicine and support injured children and communities worldwide.