Dr. Khalessi was appointed chief innovation officer of UC San Diego Health in December 2025 and also serves as interim assistant vice chancellor for health sciences innovation and AI at UC San Diego. In this dual role, he shapes systemwide innovation strategy and leads the integration of emerging technologies, including AI, across the health system and academic enterprise. He directs enterprise technology deployment, oversees surgical and procedural innovation, and aligns capital and operational priorities to advance digital transformation and AI readiness. Dr. Khalessi partners closely with information services and the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Center for Health Innovation to accelerate initiatives that enhance clinician support, patient safety, operational efficiency and access to care. A professor of neurological surgery, radiology and neurosciences at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, he holds the Don and Karen Cohn Chancellor’s Endowed Chair of Neurological Surgery. He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and served as principal or co-investigator on more than 25 clinical trials.
