Dr. Rakoff received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Rakoff began his specialty training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of California San Diego where, following his residency, he completed a certified Research Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in 1977.

Upon completion of this infertility fellowship, Dr. Rakoff served as a Major in the United States Army Medical Corps, stationed at Madigan Army Medical Center, where he was the Division Head of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. In 1979 he returned to Southern California where he established the Fertility Center of Scripps Clinic and in 1983 launched the In Vitro Fertilization Program. This center was the first in San Diego to be dedicated exclusively to the provision of medical services to infertile couples and the first IVF program to successfully deliver a baby in San Diego through In Vitro Fertilization. Today, with his work in assisted reproductive technology, blastocyst culture and transfer, egg donor IVF, infertility surgery and ovulation induction, Dr. Rakoff continues to remain on the forefront in the provision of advanced fertility care. For over 25 years, Dr. Rakoff was the Founder and Director of the IVF and Fertility program at Scripps Clinic.

Dr. Rakoff is board certified by and a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. As a distinguished Infertility Clinician and Surgeon, he is a charter member of the Society of Reproductive Surgeons (SRS). He is also a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART).

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Rakoff has participated in various research studies in assisted reproduction, with special emphasis on gamete transfer techniques and infertility surgery. He has lectured extensively at both local and national infertility conferences and has authored and published over 27 scientific papers and articles on IVF, Uterine Fibroids and Endocrine Dysfunction. Dr. Rakoff teaches at various residency programs and serves as a clinical preceptor to physicians from around the country who are interested in In Vitro Fertilization and Infertility Surgery. While he provides a comprehensive array of diagnostic and fertility treatment services, Dr. Rakoff specializes in In Vitro Fertilization.