Cynthia S. Santillan, M.D., Joins RSNA Board

CHICAGO (Nov. 26, 2023) — Cynthia S. Santillan, M.D., has been elected as a director on the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Board of Directors today at the Society’s annual meeting.

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Cynthia S. Santillan, M.D.

“The practice of radiology has undergone enormous change since I completed residency,” Dr. Santillan said. “In response to these changes, we need to examine how we work, where we work, how we interact with colleagues, and how our work fits into personal and professional wellness. Due to its broad scope and global outreach, RSNA continues to be best suited to guide radiologists, as they adapt to these changes and move the profession forward. I am extremely honored to be a part of the RSNA Board to continue this important work and be part of its ongoing innovation.”

Dr. Santillan is a clinical professor at University of California, San Diego, (UCSD) where she has been a faculty member since 2006. Currently vice chair of clinical operations in the Department of Radiology, she previously served as chief of the body imaging division at UCSD.

Recognized as an excellent presenter and educator, Dr. Santillan is frequently invited to speak at national and international conferences and uses her fluency in Spanish as needed to interact with audiences. She has served as director of radiology review courses at UCSD and at the American Roentgen Ray Society and made significant changes to modernize those courses during her tenure.

As one of the early founders of the Liver Reporting & Data System (LI-RADS©), Dr. Santillan has experience with the steps necessary to develop and disseminate innovations that can change radiology practice. She has worked for over a decade with experts in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, hepatology, surgery and pathology, and she understands the collaboration necessary to gain consensus on complex issues.

Dr. Santillan has a history of service with RSNA, including as an invited speaker for essentials and refresher courses and hands-on workshops. Dr. Santillan has served on scientific program committees in bowel imaging, hepatocellular carcinoma imaging and health services research. She has acted as a session moderator at multiple annual meetings.

A fellow of the Society of Abdominal Radiology, Dr. Santillan’s colleagues recognized her expertise in gastrointestinal and hepatic imaging by honoring her with a San Diego County Medical Society physician of excellence “Top Doc” award. Early in her career, she was awarded a prestigious GE-Radiology Research Academic Fellowship (GERRAF).

After receiving Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Dr. Santillan earned her medical degree at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) in St. Louis. She completed her diagnostic radiology residency at WUSM’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, followed by a body imaging fellowship at UCSD.

Dr. Santillan will serve on the RSNA Board of Directors for a term of three years.