Yazan Khatib, MD

Named as one of the Honorees of the 2012 ONEJAX Humanitarian award, Dr. Yazan Khatib lives a life of commitment to the common good, and to his patients and family.

As a co-founder of the Save a Leg, Save a Life Foundation, he works with medical professionals, caregivers, and patients to prevent amputations in people afflicted with wounds and complications from diabetes and peripheral arterial disease. His foundation hosted national conferences to improve patients’ quality of life.

His passion for outpatient care made him one of the co-founders of Outpatient Endovascular Interventional Society “OEIS”, where he also is a current board member, with a keen interest and dedication to improving outcomes and safety in the office based cath labs.

His commitment to excellence in healthcare has earned him the title “Health Care Hero” in 2009 by the Jacksonville Business Journal. His huge enthusiasm for repairing even the most difficult cases without major bypass surgery, made him one of only a handful of accredited operators across the nation to proctor physicians in the rapidly evolving field of endovascular therapy. He is frequently lecturing nationally and internationally in the fields of cardiovascular medicine, amputation prevention, and endovascular medical innovation, and has trained many physicians across the nation.

After graduating with honors from Damascus University Medical School, Dr. Khatib received his medical training at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, Loyola University in Chicago, the Indiana Heart Institute, and St. Vincent Hospital (Indianapolis, IN), where he had the privilege of working with some of the most renowned experts in the field of cardiovascular medicine. He then returned to Chicago for a dedicated period of six months of additional training in the endovascular management of peripheral vessels (i.e., legs, kidneys, aorta, arms, and head).

Prior to coming to Jacksonville, Dr. Khatib built a successful practice in Indianapolis, where he quickly established himself as one of the leading experts in the different treatment modalities of vascular disease. He has been very diligent and successful with endovascular non-surgical techniques, including opening obstructed leg vessels and sparing many patients dreadful amputations, thus attracting patients from neighboring states.

Despite his busy practice, Dr. Khatib was always an active philanthropist, dedicated to inter-cultural dialogue and to the promotion of a greater understanding of the world we live in. He was the main sponsor of the Amity Center dialogue dinner “Alliance of Civilizations” in October 2009, as well as several other similarly themed activities like the first Annual Art and Essay Contest for middle and high school students at Florida State College in 2010 and 2011.

Dr. Khatib previously served as Board President for the American Heart Association, First Coast Chapter, and continue to serve as a board member.  He has also served on the Board of the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville. He is also served on the Board of the Syrian American Cultural Council, and the Board of Atlantic Institute. In 2009, he was instrumental in bringing 150 children from the Middle East to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Al Farah Choir, a Syrian Christian choir, preformed as well in Detroit, Jacksonville, and Disney World. In addition to traditional Christian hymns, the choir gave voice to recitals inspiring unity between all Abrahamic Faiths.

Dr. Khatib, his wife, and three daughters and son have called Jacksonville home since 2002. He gives his better half tremendous credit for being patient and unconditionally supportive of his long, hard working hours taking care of his patients. Away from work, Dr. Khatib likes to enjoy his family and his commitment to community.