Dr. Carmen Santiago is a registered nurse and CEO/Founder of Cuidado Casero Home Health and Hospice, which currently serves counties in Texas, New Mexico, Virginia, New Jersey, and Puerto-Rico. In order to manage a rapidly growing company Dr. Santiago and the Board of Directors created Medica Health Management, which manages the agencies that serve approximately 10,500 patients and brings in revenues estimated at $20 million annually.
Dr. Carmen Santiago has a story to tell that will educate, empower, and motivate Hispanics/Latinos of all backgrounds. Touching US soil in order to arrange a surgery for one of her four children, which was desperately needed, was the initial reason for making it to the United States. The years passed and Dr. Santiago faced many challenges including persevering through her own mothers medical needs. Seeing a dire need for her mother to receive quality of care as she faced end-of-life, a vision was born in the heart of Dr. Santiago. She was going to make a difference that would embrace her Latino culture and language while meeting the needs of her community. Today the company serves a culturally diverse community with medical professionals that include nurses, physical therapists, among other healthcare professionals.
Recently, Dr. Santiago has received accolades and awards to include the Ana Maria Arias Business Award presented by LATINA STYLES, in Washington D.C. and United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce National Business Woman of the Year (2007) presented by Wells Fargo organizations. She consults regularly with executives from a variety of fields to help create and implement future visions.Dr. Santiago received her Doctorate degree in Public Health from the University of North Texas in 2005. She also received her Masters of Science from Amberton University, and her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in Puerto-Rico. Dr. Santiago has been in the healthcare industry over 30 years. She has developed a passion to educate and empower both healthcare professionals as well as patients. She has presented at various levels including local, state, and national audiences.
Cultural Diversity is becoming of greater importance as the elderly population is changing. As healthcare professionals it is imperative that we are sensitive to the needs of the patient and family, as they encounter their journey in the end-of-life care.
