FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
George Mark Children’s House Welcomes Dr. Tasha Faruqui to Its Board of Directors
Pediatrician, Author, and Advocate Brings National Voice for Families Navigating Medical Complexity and Grief
SAN LEANDRO, Calif., May 22, 2026 — A pediatrician, speaker, advocate, and author of the bestseller Keep Your Head Up: A Mother’s Story of Chasing Joy in the Face of Grief (Jossey-Bass, 2025), Dr. Faruqui brings both professional expertise and deeply personal experience to her new role. Inspired by her father, a physician serving an underserved rural community, Dr. Faruqui joined the National Health Service Corps after medical school. Her perspective shifted profoundly after the birth of her daughter, Soraya, who was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder.
Today, Dr. Faruqui is a nationally recognized advocate for parents of medically complex children and families experiencing anticipatory grief. She regularly shares her message of hope and resilience at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Make-A-Wish events, and through her social platform, @thefaruqui5. She was named a Top Doctor by Cincinnati Magazine in 2022, 2024, and 2025.
“I joined the board of George Mark Children’s House because when our daughter, Soraya, and our whole family stayed at George Mark Children’s House in October 2025, I witnessed firsthand how life-changing this kind of care can be,” said Dr. Faruqui. “I want to help spread awareness so more physicians and families know compassionate, joy-filled pediatric palliative care exists—and that it is possible.”
As the first freestanding pediatric palliative care home in the United States, George Mark Children’s House has spent more than two decades providing compassionate medical care, respite, and support for children with serious illnesses and their families — at no cost to families.
“Dr. Faruqui’s voice, experience, and advocacy are incredibly powerful,” said Shekinah Eliassen, CEO of George Mark Children’s House. “She understands both the clinical and emotional realities families face, and her passion for ensuring families feel seen, supported, and hopeful aligns beautifully with our mission.”
Dr. Faruqui’s appointment comes as George Mark Children’s House continues to expand awareness of pediatric palliative care and advance innovative family-centered programming, including its new aquatic therapy centre and all-abilities playground.
For more information about George Mark Children’s House, visit George Mark Children’s House. To learn more about Dr. Tasha Faruqui, visit Dr. Tasha Faruqui.
