Paula Santanna, M.D.
Peer Support
Physicians
Having more than a decade of healthcare expertise, Paula possesses a sincere commitment and dedication to observing individuals with compassion, approaching those involved in the field of health and its complexities with a caring perspective.
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She graduated as a Medical Doctor from the Federal University of Health Sciences in Porto Alegre (Brazil) in 2012. She completed a Residency Program in Otolaryngology and holds a Master's degree in Health Sciences from Hospital de Clínicas in Porto Alegre (Brazil). Her research involved a deep study of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL), and through her study of health as a whole, she has developed an interest in acquiring a more integrative approach in her practice. She believes in a human-centered view of care and continues to learn through her ongoing studies in Integrative Health.
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Paula decided to broaden her vision of Lifestyle, Spirituality, and Health by traveling around the world to observe people’s lives in Asia, Europe, South America, and the United States with a curious and creative interest in culture. She obtained certification in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction from the Benson-Henry Institute of Mind Body Health in Massachusetts (USA), which deepened her interest in meditation and stress management. She became a Holistic Life Coach and, more recently, a Classical Yoga Teacher at Kashi Atlanta Ashram, led by teacher Swami Jaya Devi. She has conducted courses in Reiki, Storytelling, Communication, Intuitive Writing, Poetry, and Arts.
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During the COVID-19 outbreak, Paula offered an online course and mentoring program for healthcare professionals with the goal of helping participants develop hope, resilience, and spiritual resources in times of crisis. During that time, she also taught academic leagues, infusing her playful and creative perspective as a tool to boost self-esteem and improve the relationship of healthcare professionals with their own journey. She believes that a human-centered and respectful healthcare system stems from a wholehearted, vulnerable, and hopeful healthcare team.
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Currently, Paula lives in Atlanta (US) with her husband, son, and dog. She loves being in nature, practicing yoga, writing poems, and cooking in her free time.