Qusay Hussein, MSSW, PhD, served on the board of MSF USA from May 2023 until his death in June 2025. He passed away on June 14 in Austin, Texas, after a two-year battle with kidney cancer. He died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. He was 36 years old. Read our tribute to Qusay here.

Qusay was the first former patient to go on to serve as an MSF USA board member. He left an indelible mark on our organization and the communities he worked with.

In 2006, Qusay was a victim of a suicide bombing in Mosul, Iraq, where he suffered multiple injuries and lost his sight. In 2010, Qusay went to Amman, Jordan, to seek medical treatment at the MSF reconstructive surgery hospital. While recovering, he had an opportunity to serve as a patient counselor for MSF in Amman. 

In 2012, Qusay resettled as a refugee in the United States. He went on to receive dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and social work and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas (UT) at Austin. In May 2025, he earned a PhD in social work from UT Austin. His research focused on the migration experiences of refugees with disabilities. The university's Steve Hicks School of Social Work established the Qusay Hussein Humanitarian Award to be given annually to a graduating student who demonstrates strength of character, resilience, and compassion for others. Qusay also received UT’s Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award, which recognizes young alumni who “have made significant achievements in their careers, community, and service to the university.”

Qusay served as a member of the DEI Council for MSF USA starting in 2022. He was also a motivational speaker and served on the boards of directors of several other organizations including Interfaith Action of Central Texas, the Austin chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, and the Texas Association of Blind Students. He was a member of the Advisory Committee for Refugee Services of Texas, where he also worked as a translator for recently arrived refugees. Earlier this year, Qusay published his memoir, "Can You Open My Eyes?", which details his childhood in Iraq, his time in Amman, and first years in the US.