— College of Medicine — Department of Surgery — Divisions — Surgical Oncology — Faculty — Juan A. Santamaria, MD, FACS, FSSO

Juan A. Santamaria, MD, FACS, FSSO

Associate Professor, UNMC Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology
Assistant Director for Clinical Integration, Community Outreach and Engagement Office, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
Co-Founder, Director, Breast Health Navigation Program
Surgical Oncologist, Nebraska Medicine

Dr. Santamaria is a Panamanian American surgical oncologist born in Detroit and raised in Panama. His father, who has been a medical oncologist in Panama since 1990, inspired him to go into oncology. After completing his surgical oncology fellowship in the fall of 2020, Dr. Santamaria joined the Division of Surgical Oncology in the Department of Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

His two academic goals are to pursue basic science research on breast cancer metastasis, and to serve his community by reducing breast cancer care disparities for minorities via a lay peer navigator program.

Dr. Santamaria's main clinical interest is breast and cutaneous surgical oncology and the multidisciplinary management of these cancer patients. He is passionate about excellent oncological outcomes, oncoplastic breast surgery, and community service.

Education

MD: Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
Residency: General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
Fellowship: Research, Department of Surgical Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
Fellowship: Complex General Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, California

Board Certification

American Board of Surgery, Surgery
American Board of Surgery, Complex General Surgical Oncology

Research Interests

Dr. Santamaria’s research interests focus on advancing as an academic surgeon-scientist with a goal of establishing an NCI-funded lab dedicated to studying breast cancer brain metastasis. He is also committed to enhancing breast cancer care for minorities and increasing clinical trial participation among underserved populations through the use of lay peer navigator programs. His work emphasizes the elimination of barriers to care, with a specific focus on addressing disparities in cancer outcomes among minority and underserved communities. In addition to his research, Dr. Santamaria is deeply involved in community engagement and mentorship, particularly within the Hispanic medical community, and holds leadership roles aimed at promoting healthcare equity and clinical trial inclusion.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Santamaria's clinical interests center on breast cancer, with a focus on the multidisciplinary management of breast cancer patients. He specializes in oncoplastic breast surgery, integrating cancer removal with cosmetic considerations, and is actively involved in breast cancer clinical trials. Additionally, his clinical expertise extends to melanoma and cutaneous oncology, providing comprehensive care across these oncologic areas.

Patient Care

Breast Clinic & Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic at Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and Nebraska Medicine Village Pointe
Cutaneous Oncology clinic at Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center