Dr. Eric Santamaria is the Professor of Reconstructive Microsurgery at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and an Attending Surgeon in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez, as well as the Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia in Mexico City. He graduated from the Medical School of Anahuac University, which is affiliated with the National University of Mexico, and obtained his MD from Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez General Hospital. He completed his resident training in General Surgery at Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez General Hospital in 1991 and in Plastic Surgery at Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez General Hospital in 1994.

In addition, he spent an additional year of training as a Clinical Fellow in Craniofacial/Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at Angeles del Pedregal Hospital in Mexico City with Dr. Fernando Ortiz-Monasterio from 1994 to 1995. He also completed a Microsurgery Research Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City with Dr. David Hidalgo and Dr. Peter G. Cordeiro in 1995-1996 and 1997-1998. Furthermore, he pursued a Microsurgery and Upper Extremity Clinical Fellowship at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, with Dr. Fu-Chan Wei from 1996 to 1997.

Dr. Santamaria has served as a Microsurgery Fellowship Director for 20 consecutive years, training more than 40 Microsurgery Fellows and 100 International Visiting Fellows. His clinical expertise lies in Head and Neck, Breast, and Extremity Reconstruction, while his research interests primarily focus on Prelaminated Free Flaps and Perforator Flaps. He has a wide publication record, with more than 59 peerreviewed journal articles and 15 book chapters. Additionally, Dr. Santamaria actively participates in senior leadership activities for many international and national professional societies and associations. He is also an editor board in Mexican Journal of Plastic Surgery, Mexican Gazette of Oncology, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal and Archives in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He was elected as the 1st president of the Fu-Chan Wei Club, 1st president of the Association of Latin-American Microsurgery (ALAM) and appointed as the Chairman of the 2021 WSRM meeting in Cancun, Mexico.

He is on the Board and active Membership of the Association of Residents and Ex-Residents in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mexican Society of Oncology, Mexican Society of Cleft Lip and Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies, Mexican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical Society in American British Cowdray Hospital, “Dr. Manuel Gea González General Hospital” Medical and Surgical Society, Mexican Association and board of Plastic Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical Society of Angeles de las Lomas Hospital, World Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Association of Latin-American Microsurgery (ALAM), Educational Coordinator in European Master of Reconstructive Microsurgery and he holds the position of the numbered chair in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the National Academy of Medicine - Mexico, which he attained through an academic competition selection procedure.

CLINICAL ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Dr. Santamaria has an extensive referral practice in breast reconstruction, head and neck surgery, limb reconstruction, and facial palsy. In the past year, he has performed microsurgical reconstructions at institutions including the Nacional Institute of Cancerology in Mexico City, "Dr. Manuel Gea González" General Hospital, American British Cowdray Hospital, Angeles del Pedregal Hospital, and Angeles de las Lomas Hospital. He is a dedicated educator, instructor, and internationally invited professor, committing himself not only to clinical reconstructive cases but also to being a worldrenowned and experienced microsurgeon.