A highly acclaimed and accredited Medical Professional, Dr. Norberto Santana Rodríguez, MD, PhD, FEBTS Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation, brings over 22 years of surgical experience. Offering specialized services and leadership through multiple areas, including thoracic surgery, lung transplantation, hospital management, and translational research. Also, Dr. Santana Rodríguez has a strong background in medical affairs and evolving technology having set up 2 patents.
As the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Canary Institute of Advanced Medicine (ICMA), nowadays AGEL Canarias, Dr. Norberto Santana Rodríguez has established the center as one of the high-resolution referral medical institutions in the Canary Islands, Spain.
The Beginning
Dr. Norberto Santana Rodríguez’s professional development over the years has been shaped by his passion for helping patients as a surgeon and researcher, and a strong interest in business—an uncommon combination for a physician.
Graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain in 1995, Dr. Santana Rodríguez obtained the 52nd position in the national MIR exam and trained in Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation from 1999 to 2003, earning the title of Specialist Physician in Thoracic Surgery, as well as a PhD in Medicine in 2003 with the highest distinction, cum laude.
Several pivotal moments have defined the direction of his career. In 2003, Dr. Santana Rodríguez founded one of the first private aesthetic and plastic surgery centers in the Canary Islands, the Canary Institute of Antiaging Medicine, which in 2007 evolved into the Canary Institute of Advanced Medicine (ICMA). In 2004, he left the Canary Islands to join Hospital Puerta de Hierro in Madrid as an attending Thoracic Surgeon and Lung Transplantation specialist, becoming actively involved in the world’s first clinical lung transplant program using donors after cardiac death, and initiating experimental lung transplant projects as well as translational research involving stem cells.
Gradually, from 2007 to 2015, Dr. Santana Rodríguez led the implementation of video-assisted thoracic surgery programs in both the public and private healthcare sectors in Gran Canaria, while also developing a research team dedicated to the translational study of thoracic diseases mainly lung transplantation and lung bioengineering. In 2013, he founded the first private genetic diagnostic laboratory in the Canary Islands, “Diagnóstico Genético Canarias,” focused on analyzing molecular markers in cancer patients to enable personalized oncological treatments and diagnosis of genetic disorders.
Dr. Santana Rodríguez’s pioneering work in experimental lung bioengineering led him to move to the United States in 2015, joining Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, where he also acquired advanced expertise in robotic thoracic surgery. In 2017, he relocated from New York to Riyadh to become Head of the Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation Department at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) ranked 76th worldwide and recognized as the best hospital in the Arab world. He reflects, “There, I established the uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and robotic assisted thoracic surgery programs (RATS), supported the lung transplant program and established for the first time a more cosmetic and new minimally invasive approach for females patients called perimammary uniportal VATS (PUVATS) and perimammary robotic assisted thoracic surgery. This five-year period was one of the most pivotal stages of my surgical career having also the opportunity to train Saudi thoracic surgeons. I was also appointed Associate Professor of Surgery at Alfaisal University.”
In 2022, Dr. Santana Rodríguez was honored with Science Award in Spain for his contributions to research in Lung Transplantation, and moved to Abu Dhabi after being recruited as Head of Thoracic Surgery at the country’s largest hospital, managed by the Mayo Clinic (USA), considered the best hospital in the world in global rankings. “There, I established Uniportal and Perimammary Thoracic Surgery programs for the first time in the UAE having trained Emirati surgeons, and was appointed Associate Professor of Surgery at Khalifa University”.
Recently awarded by the Arab Society of Thoracic Surgery for his pioneering contributions to minimally invasive thoracic surgery, lung transplantation, and surgical training in the Arab world, Dr. Santana Rodríguez has rejoined King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Evolution of ICMA over the Years
ICMA has undergone significant growth and transformation since its inception in 2003. What began as a small aesthetic center with a single employee has progressively evolved into what is now AGEL Canarias, following our partnership with the AGEL Group, the most successful healthcare provider in central Europe with more than 16.000 employees.
Today, the organization has more than 70 employees and operates in state-of-the-art facilities spanning 1,400 square meters. These facilities include 14 specialized clinics, radiology, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, emergency services, endoscopy, dentistry, aesthetics, and a surgical block with three operating rooms for same day surgery and one for minor surgery. This evolution has positioned the center as a high-resolution referral medical institution in the region.
Empowering the Regional Healthcare Ecosystem
AGEL Canarias plays a key role in strengthening the healthcare ecosystem in the region. By introducing high-resolution medicine, advanced diagnostics, and minimally invasive surgical capabilities, the organization has elevated the standard of care available providing access to specialized services becoming a pioneering center in private same day surgery.
Dr. Santana Rodríguez mentions, “Additionally, we contribute to job creation and professional development across multiple healthcare disciplines. Our collaboration with the AGEL Group has also introduced international best practices, modern technology, and high-quality management standards, fostering innovation within the regional medical sector.”
Through these efforts, AGEL Canarias has become a referral center that improves patient outcomes, stimulates the local economy, and supports the overall modernization of the healthcare landscape in the region.
What Defines Success in Healthcare
Dr. Santana Rodríguez believes honesty and integrity, hard work and perseverance, alongside a commitment to help and serve, are paramount to succeed in the healthcare sector.
Embracing Innovative Practices at AGEL Canarias
By continuously adapting to technological advances over the years, ICMA has evolved from basic operational tools to sophisticated systems that optimize clinical workflows, enhance patient satisfaction, and strengthen marketing and communication strategies becoming AGEL Canarias. “This commitment to innovation has allowed us to improve efficiency, deliver a better patient experience, and remain competitive in an increasingly digital healthcare environment,” Dr. Santana Rodríguez comments.
Words of Wisdom for Beginners
Guiding beginners to navigate the key challenges in this industry, Dr. Santana Rodríguez shares, “It is difficult to guide someone through the challenges I have faced throughout this long and diverse journey, as each individual reacts differently to adversity. However, my advice would be the following: stay true to yourself, enjoy life, and laugh often; cultivate strong professional relationships with mentors and colleagues; and surround yourself with the right people. Maintain honesty and compassion, and when you make mistakes or cross a line, be humble enough to ask for forgiveness.
Embrace continuous learning, work hard, remain persistent, and prepare yourself for setbacks because failure often comes before success. Always show a genuine willingness to help and serve others. And finally, follow the path of light with faith and integrity, pray, and God will guide you along the journey, though it is you who must choose which doors to knock on and open.”
Connect with Dr. Norberto Santana Rodríguez on LinkedIn to gain industry insights.
To learn more about AGEL Canarias find it on LinkedIn and visit their website www.agelcanarias.com
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