Dr. Youssef received his undergraduate education from New York University at the Stern School of Business, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. He then enrolled in the School of Medicine at Ross University, in Dominica, West Indies. He trained in Pediatrics at the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Following his residency he did a Fellowship in Pediatric Gastroenterology/Hepatology at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh. During this Fellowship he also attended the Katz School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, where he received his MBA in 2001. At the University of Pittsburgh he received additional certification and training for the management of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders. He has recently completed an introductory course on Hypnosis Training for Functional Gastrointestinal Applications at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

He currently holds two appointments at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; one as Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the New Jersey Medical School and also, as Assistant Professor, at the School of Health Related Professions from the Institute for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine.

Dr. Youssef’s research interest concentrate on Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, specifically abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome, and Motility Disorders including refractory constipation and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Additional research focus has been devoted to investigations on quality of life assessments, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, and factors that influence parents decisions to allow their children to participate in clinical trials. Throughout his career he has awarded funding from a variety of sources including the National Institutes of Health, philanthropic organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry.

He has authored more than 80 publications and is recognized as a national and international expert. He has lectured worldwide and has been invited by the America Academy of Pediatrics and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition to review several Guidelines including those for the Evaluation and Treatment of Functional Abdominal Pain, Cyclic Vomiting, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Constipation, and Celiac Disease.

Dr. Youssef has won research awards at the 2nd International Pediatric Gastroenterology and Motility Meeting in 2003, Brugge, Belgium, the Word Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition in 2004, Paris, France and the 3rd International Pediatric Gastroenterology and Motility Meeting in 2005, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Dr. Youssef has also been named “Top Doc” in 2008 by NJ Monthly magazine.

Dr. Youssef established the Center for Pediatric Irritable Bowel and Motility Disorders in 2003 at the Goryeb Children’s Hospital at Atlantic Health, and was Director till 2009. This is the only center in New Jersey and the Tri-State region dedicated to full gastrointestinal evaluation of children including motility testing.

Presently, he is Senior Director of Clinical Research at NPS Pharmaceuticals.  His current assignments are focused on intestinal failure related to short bowel syndrome and Crohns Disease.  He is the former Director of Clinical Research at AstraZeneca LP USA in Wilmington Delaware USA.  His assignments included developing agents with novel mechanisms of action focused on motility to treat gastroesophageal reflux.