Meet Draya
What is Draya?
Spelled دِراية in Arabic, it is pronounced close to: dirāyah (di-RA-yah)
Meaning: knowledge, awareness, understanding, insight.
Draya was created to make health education clear, culturally comfortable, and truly accessible for Middle Eastern communities. Many people avoid care not because they do not value their health, but because the system can feel confusing, rushed, or unfamiliar. Important questions are left unanswered, and families are often unsure where to turn for help.
To change that, Draya focuses on meeting people where they already are. Our team visits local churches, community gatherings, and cultural spaces to listen, share our goals, and offer practical support. We speak with families about preventive care, answer questions, and distribute brochures and resources that explain where they can find trustworthy medical help and guidance.
Our mission is to build trust, increase awareness, and make it easier for families to take the next step toward caring for their health. When communities have access to clear information and compassionate support, they feel more confident, more informed, and more empowered to seek the care they deserve.
Yousif Qass-Younan
FounderYousif is the founder of Draya and is currently in his final semester at San Diego State University, preparing to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. He is preparing to continue his path toward medicine and pursue his goal of becoming a Family Physician.
He founded Draya after noticing an important pattern within his own family and community. Many of the people he loved encouraged him to pursue medicine, yet they were often hesitant to visit doctors themselves. He observed that many Middle Eastern families tend to rely more on traditional or Eastern remedies while feeling uncertain or uncomfortable about Western medicine and the healthcare system. Yousif recognized that much of this hesitation stemmed from uncertainty and a lack of trusted, culturally aware information.
Through Draya, Yousif aims to bridge that gap. His mission is to make healthcare education understandable, welcoming, and empowering; helping more families feel confident combining the wisdom of their culture with the benefits of modern medicine to care for their health and their future.
Rami Yaacoub
Co-FounderRami Yaacoub is a co-founder of Draya and a pre-med student at Grossmont College, where he is preparing to transfer to a four-year university to continue his path toward medicine and pursue his goal of becoming a cardiologist.
Rami helped launch Draya after experiencing the same challenges that inspired the organization. Like many in Middle Eastern communities, his family encouraged him to build a future in healthcare, while still feeling hesitant about visiting doctors themselves. He has seen loved ones rely more on traditional or Eastern remedies and feel unsure about Western medicine, and he understands how confusing that gap can be.
With his work with Draya, Rami is committed to building trust, clarity, and access. He wants to provide culturally aware education and support so families feel comfortable, informed, and confident when it comes to caring for their health.