Ignacio Santana MD
AdvisorFrom the farms of California to Brown University’s PLME to UCSF’s admissions table, Dr. Santana uses his unique journey and expertise to guide aspiring physicians.
Specialty: Occupational, Environmental, and Climate Medicine
Dr. Santana's journey began in the Central Valley of California, where he participated in the Ivy League Project in 2006 and realized the transformative power of strong college and career guidance. This enabled him to attend Brown University's Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), graduating with a bachelor's degree in Hispanic studies in 2011. He then took two gap years to hone his medical skills at his hometown's urgent care and at the University of California, Davis's premedical post-baccalaureate program.
Dr. Santana returned to Brown and earned his medical degree in 2018, dedicating an additional year to research in sex education. Following an internship in OB/GYN, he transitioned into occupational medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. While there, he served on the admissions committee, gaining invaluable insights into the application process. He completed his residency in 2023 and has advised students at various stages of their medical journeys for the past 17 years. He carries this passion forward, eager to guide future generations toward achieving their dreams.
Fun Fact
As a Spanish speaker and first-generation high school, college, and medical school graduate, Dr. Santana knows the power of hard work and navigating new worlds. You can catch him developing his soccer and ice skating skills so that he can eventually keep up with his two boys, Atlas and Orion.