Ratika Parkash

Dr. Ratika Parkash obtained her medical degree in 1996 from Dalhousie University.  She completed her residency in internal medicine/cardiology in Ottawa from 1996-2002, followed by a fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital from 2002-2004.  She obtained a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health in 2004.  She is a professor of medicine at Dalhousie University, from 2004 until the present.  She has two major areas of research:  atrial fibrillation (AF) and cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).  

Currently, Dr. Parkash is involved in a number of clinical trial initiatives in atrial fibrillation focused on mechanisms of disease and management strategies.  She continues to investigate prevention of recurrent atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure or a high symptom burden to prevent future cardiovascular events and improve quality of life.  In addition, she investigates Cardiac Implantable Electronic devices in the areas of device recalls, management, outcomes, complications, heart failure, virtual care strategies, as well as prevention of sudden death.  Dr. Parkash is the past Chair of the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society Device Committee and is currently the Associate Scientific Director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Network, dedicated to reducing sudden cardiac death, atrial fibrillation and syncope in Canada.  She has been awarded the title of Distinguished Research Professor in 2020 at Dalhousie University.  She is a member of the National Board of the Heart And stroke Foundation of Canada.