Javier Santiago, MD, joined the Department of Urology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health on August 12, 2024, as the department’s first neurourologist.
Dr. Santiago’s path to the medical field started in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Growing up in a family with deep ties to healthcare—his father was an Air Force physician specializing in pulmonology— Dr. Santiago was inspired early on to pursue a medical career. After completing his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University and medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, a fortuitous conversation at a family friend’s holiday party led to a student rotation in urology – where he immediately found himself drawn to the specialty and its profoundly personal patient interactions.
For Dr. Santiago, urology offered a unique opportunity to help patients navigate health issues often shrouded in shame or embarrassment, creating a space for them to openly discuss their struggles.
Early in his urology training, he developed a particular passion for Neurourology, a subspecialty focused on urinary problems stemming from neurological conditions. His fascination with the brain and nervous system, dating back to high school, flourished during his residency at the University of Michigan, where mentors Drs. John Stoffel and Anne Cameron deepened his interest in tackling complex urological cases. These patients often experience long-term struggles due to neurologic diseases, and Dr. Santiago found – and continues to find – immense fulfillment in working with them to improve their quality of life through thoughtful, personalized treatment plans.
Dr. Santiago’s advanced training includes a fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic, where he specialized in Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery (GURS) under the mentorship of renowned surgeons Drs. Ken Angermeier and Hadley Wood. His fellowship experience was broad, encompassing male genitourinary reconstruction, prosthetics, and complex bladder surgeries, particularly for patients with neurologic disorders – ideal preparation for the multifaceted challenges he faces in his practice today.
At the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Santiago has found a perfect home for both his clinical and research ambitions. His clinical focus includes reconstructive surgeries, such as urethroplasty, penile prostheses, and bladder reconstructions, while his research concentrates on spinal cord injuries. Currently, he is working on a pilot study examining the potential benefits of cannabinoids in managing symptoms for spinal cord injury patients during their first year after injury.
Dr. Santiago’s commitment to urology extends beyond his surgical expertise. He has been invested in mentoring the next generation of urologists, particularly those from under-represented backgrounds. His participation in mentorship programs and the success of his mentees, one of whom matched at the Cleveland Clinic, where Dr. Santiago completed his fellowship, is an additional source of satisfaction within the field.
Dr. Santiago’s core motivation remains the patients he serves. Each person who walks into his clinic represents an opportunity for him to make a difference, helping them reclaim their life and overcome significant obstacles, no matter how complex the situation. It is this calling that fuels his passion for medicine and keeps him excited about the future of Urology and Neurourology. We are thrilled to have Dr. Santiago on the UW Urology team.