People Profile – Dr. Marc El Khoury

Marc El Khoury, MD, (PGY 2; Internal Medicine) describes medicine as the lifelong pursuit of both scientific excellence and human connection.

Dr. El Khoury’s inspiration to pursue medicine—and, especially, cardiology—began with his grandfather, who, despite experiencing multiple heart attacks, lived to be 100 years old. Thanks to the power of modern cardiovascular medicine, Dr. El Khoury says, he was still tending to his garden, still full of life, when he passed. Seeing how evidence-based interventions could preserve not just life but quality of life sparked Dr. El Khoury’s passion for the science behind clinical care.

“At the same time, what left a lasting imprint,” he says, “was how my grandfather’s physicians cared for him in his final days—with compassion, clarity, and humanity. Their presence ensured his passing was peaceful and dignified, surrounded by loved ones. That experience taught me that medicine isn’t only about advancing knowledge; it’s also about building trust and showing up for patients and their families in moments that matter most.”

Dr. El Khoury, who is originally from Byblos, Lebanon, and lived in the United Kingdom for 10 years before moving to the U.S., says MedStar Health’s motto of “One Team” is something he sees his colleagues at MedStar Washington Hospital Center live out every day.

“The culture of continuous improvement and constructive feedback has also been key to helping me thrive both as a physician and as part of a team—everyone is encouraged to grow and collaborate in a non-judgmental way,” he says.

Likewise, Dr. El Khoury encourages incoming interns, residents, and fellows to not be shy in asking for advice and collaborating with their new colleagues. This has made his own learning experience even more rewarding over the last two years. “The sense of connection with my team, and the trust we build in one another, makes the journey not only educational, but personally fulfilling as well.”

When he’s not immersed in medicine, Dr. El Khoury finds fulfillment in activities like cooking, running, weightlifting, painting, and traveling to new places. He also appreciates opportunities to socialize with his co-residents outside of work—whether it be an educational outing, cooking in each other’s homes, or playing pickleball or squash—taking part in activities that help him to create a healthy work-life balance and navigate the challenges of residency.