“I represent many great minds in Saudi Arabia. Yes, we produce oil and that’s great, but Saudi Arabia also produces great minds.” – Dr. Hani Najm
From the classrooms of Riyadh to the operating rooms of Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Hani K. Najm has built a career defined by precision, innovation, and a deep commitment to advancing congenital heart care. Today, Dr. Najm stands as one of the foremost experts in paediatric and adult congenital heart surgery. As Chair of Paediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Surgery and Executive Co-Director of the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Center at Cleveland Clinic, he leads one of the world’s most advanced programmes for congenital heart disease.
Recently, his election as the next Vice President of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) marked a historic milestone: a Saudi-trained surgeon rising to global cardiovascular leadership, positioned to become ACC President in the following term cycle. But behind these titles is a journey shaped by education, innovation, and an unwavering belief in what medicine can achieve.
Early Foundations in Riyadh
Dr. Najm’s story begins in Riyadh, where he earned his MBBS from King Saud University’s College of Medicine in 1985. After completing his internship and early surgical training at King Khalid University Hospital, he quickly stood out as a young surgeon with both technical talent and academic ambition.
At a time when global opportunities for Saudi physicians were expanding, he received a prestigious government scholarship that would define the trajectory of his career. That scholarship sent him to Canada, a decision that launched nearly a decade of intensive training and growth.
A Decade of Training in Canada
Canada became the training ground where Dr. Najm refined his surgical identity. He completed:
- General surgery residency at the University of Ottawa
- Cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of Toronto
- Subspecialty fellowships in paediatric and adult cardiac surgery at Toronto’s top centres, including The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Sunnybrook
Alongside this rigorous clinical training, he pursued a master’s degree in cardiovascular sciences at the University of Toronto, merging hands-on surgical practice with research, innovation, and scientific inquiry. This combination, precision in the operating room and depth in academic thinking, would later define his approach to both leadership and clinical care.
Returning Home: Building a Modern Cardiac Surgery Programme
In the late 1990s, Dr. Najm returned to Saudi Arabia, bringing his world-class training back to Riyadh. He joined the King Abdulaziz Cardiac Center at King Abdulaziz Medical City, where he served for nearly 17 years.
During this time, he played a crucial role in transforming congenital and adult cardiac surgery in the Kingdom:
- As Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, he performed highly complex procedures on children and adults.
- As Head of Cardiac Surgery from 2001, he helped shape and grow the department.
- As Deputy Chairman of the cardiac centre, he worked to standardize care, expand services, and develop highly trained local teams.
One of the most important outcomes of this period was reducing the number of Saudi children who had to travel abroad for life-saving heart surgery. Under his leadership, the programme became strong enough to provide treatments that previously required long-distance medical travel, allowing families to stay close to home during their most difficult moments.
Cleveland Clinic: Leading One of the World’s Top Congenital Heart Programmes
Dr. Najm’s relationship with Cleveland Clinic began in 2014 when he started visiting as a surgeon. Two years later, he officially joined the institution, taking on one of the most prestigious leadership roles in the field.
At Cleveland Clinic, he serves as:
- Chair of Paediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Surgery
- Executive Co-Director of the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Center
His work spans the full spectrum of congenital heart disease, from the first days of life to adulthood. He is known for performing some of the most complex procedures in modern cardiac surgery, including:
- Neonatal and infant heart surgery for critical congenital defects
- Repair of atrioventricular septal defects
- Complex valve repair and reconstruction
- Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and arterial switch operations
- Reoperations and redo sternotomies in adults with congenital heart disease
- Multi-valve procedures and advanced heart failure surgeries
His surgical philosophy is holistic and long-term: the goal is not only for patients to survive surgery, but to live as fully and actively as possible throughout childhood and adulthood.
Innovation: When Tools Don't Exist, He Builds Them
Innovation is woven through Dr. Najm’s career. He has repeatedly pushed boundaries to create better solutions for patients, especially newborns and infants.
Among his most notable contributions:
- Development of a special prosthetic heart valve for infants that can expand as the child grows, from 8 mm to about 15 mm
- Use of 3D-printed heart models to plan complex operations, improving safety and precision
- Design of novel surgical procedures for rare coronary and ventricular anatomies that might otherwise require transplantation
For patients and families, these skills mean more tailored operations, fewer re-do surgeries when possible, and a long-term view of life after surgery, not just survival in the ICU.
A Historic Leadership Role at the American College of Cardiology
In 2026, Dr. Najm will begin a one-year term as the Vice President of the American College of Cardiology, one of the world’s largest and most influential cardiovascular organisations with over 60,000 members.
This achievement is significant for several reasons:
- Global Trust:
It reflects the confidence of cardiovascular professionals worldwide in his vision, expertise, and leadership. - A Success Story:
His journey underscores the impact of Saudi Arabia’s investment in medical education, research, and international training. He consistently credits his early education and government scholarship for shaping who he is as a surgeon. - A Leader of Innovation:
His election follows decades of pioneering work, from developing new devices and techniques to performing operations rarely attempted anywhere.
As Vice President, and eventually President, he will help shape global standards, influence education, and advocate for patients with congenital heart disease across the world.
Beyond Surgery: Leadership, Education, and Mentorship
Throughout his career, Dr. Najm has embraced roles beyond the operating room, shaping institutions, training young physicians, and strengthening professional societies. In addition to his roles in Riyadh and Cleveland, he has served as:
- President and Vice President of the Saudi Heart Association
- Trustee of the American College of Cardiology
- Founder of the Hani Najm Global Scholar Awards, supporting early-career cardiologists in the Middle East and North Africa
Looking to the Future
Dr. Najm’s journey continues on two interconnected paths.
Clinically, he is expected to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible in congenital heart surgery, refining advanced neonatal procedures, developing new devices, and expanding the role of fetal interventions.
At the global leadership level, his position within the ACC will allow him to:
- Strengthen international training pathways
- Foster collaborations between Saudi Arabia and global heart centres
- Advocate for improved access and long-term care for congenital heart disease patients worldwide
For families in Saudi Arabia and beyond, his influence promises not just better operations, but better systems, better knowledge, and better outcomes.
To keep up with Dr. Hani Najm’s remarkable journey, follow him on LinkedIn and X.
