The LAFP is excited to recognize Thomas Santamaria, MD, as our May Member of the Month. Dr. Santamaria is originally from El Salvador but fell in love with New Orleans during residency.
Dr. Santamaria was born in El Salvador, Central America, and spent his formative years traveling back and forth between there and Miami. He settled permanently in the United States at the beginning of high school. He is the youngest of four siblings. His siblings have diverse careers: one is a car mechanic, another an airplane mechanic, and the third a surgeon. Two siblings live in Atlanta, while his brother remains in El Salvador. His parents are retired.
We asked Dr. Santamaria if anyone inspired him to become a family physician. He stated, “I didn't decide on family medicine until my last rotation in my third year. My preceptor, who ran a predominantly Spanish-speaking clinic, deeply inspired me. I admired how well he knew his patients and their life stories, which made practicing medicine more fulfilling and personal. This experience resonated with me, especially given my background from Latin America and my ability to speak Spanish. Serving Spanish-speaking patients allows me to help them feel more comfortable and act as a role model within my community.”
Dr. Santamaria is the Associate Program Director at the DePaul Community Health Center FMRP. The program welcomes the inaugural class in July 2025. We asked Dr. Santamaria how he chose the path to academic medicine. He stated, “I've always had a passion for teaching. Before medical school, I taught chemistry and physics and tutored intermittently throughout my life. I enjoy having medical students and residents around as they help me stay updated, and I learn a lot from them.”
We asked Dr. Santamaria what his favorite aspect of family medicine is. He stated, “I love the long-term relationships I can build with patients and the ability to personalize care for each individual. Empowering patients to lead healthier and happier lives is incredibly rewarding. He continued, “I describe my style of Family Medicine as ‘human’. It's crucial to be a good human first and foremost. I believe that to be a good doctor, you must first be a good human. I focus on being the best person I can be, both inside and outside the clinic, which I think enhances my ability as a physician.”
Away from medicine, Dr. Santamaria has a passion for travel, enjoys running and working out.
Please help us congratulate Dr. Thomas Santamaria as our May Member of the Month!
LAFP’s Member of the Month program highlights Louisiana family physicians in the Weekly Family Medicine Update and on the LAFP website. We feature a biography and a Q&A with a different LAFP member each month and his or her unique approach to family medicine. If you know an outstanding family physician colleague who you think should be featured as a Member of the Month or if you’d like to tell your own story, nominate yourself or your colleague by contacting Lee Ann Albert at