Khaldoun Tarakji, MD, MPH, is Chief Medical Officer (CMO), VP of Clinical Research and Medical Science for Cardiac Ablation Solutions (CAS) Operating Unit (OU) at Medtronic. In this role, Dr. Tarakji is helping CAS remain patient-focused as they continue to expand and develop.
Prior to joining the Medtronic team, Dr. Tarakji was the Associate Section Head of Cardiac Electrophysiology in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute; at Cleveland Clinic. He was also an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western University, and the Director of the Center for International Medical Education at the Cleveland Clinic. In addition to his clinical expertise in atrial fibrillation and complex arrhythmia ablation procedures, Khaldoun has led multiple national and international clinical trials, and has authored over 120 original articles in leading scientific journals. Khaldoun was also the founder and director of the Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute Center for Digital Health Technologies and Telemedicine. In this role, he pioneered the adoption of smart devices to enhance the care of cardiovascular patients.
Khaldoun received his M.D. from Damascus University. He then completed both his medicine residency and fellowships in cardiovascular medicine and electrophysiology at the Cleveland Clinic. He received his master’s in public health (MPH) degree from Cleveland State University. Throughout his career at Cleveland Clinic, Khaldoun has received several awards including the Irving Dawson Award for Clinical Excellence, and the Sones Favaloro Innovation Award.
Khaldoun is a member of the American College of Cardiology, the Heart Rhythm Society, and the Honor Society for Collegiate Schools of Business. He has served as a member of the Heart Rhythm Society Reimbursement and Regulatory Affairs and was the Vice Chair of Heart Rhythm Society Health Policy Committee. He also served as a Board Member and Specialty Director for Cardiovascular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Board of Directors.
