About

John Doe

★★★★★

Dr. Celis Monsalve (MBBS, FACRRM, Grad Cert Critical Care USyd) is a General Practice and Primary Care Specialist who has dedicated his career to providing comprehensive healthcare in a wide range of communities and settings. With extensive experience in internal medicine, intensive care, and cardiology, Dr. Santiago has worked in diverse locations, from tertiary level urban hospitals to isolated rural clinics.

Dr. Santiago was born and raised in Colombia, where he developed a deep interest in providing medical aid to vulnerable communities affected by war. As the grandson of a forcibly displaced farmer, he quickly grasped the significant impact of the social environment on individuals' health outcomes and life prospects. Instead of focusing on advanced academic research and career-building rotations, Dr. Santiago dedicated his spare time to volunteering, assisting a local community of displaced farmers on the outskirts of Medellin. Here, he found that his emerging skills were invaluable in addressing pressing and tangible issues.

He graduated from the University of Antioquia in 2011, which is recognized as the best medical school in Colombia. His first years of work were spent in rural communities, far from advanced medical services, where he performed vaginal deliveries, urgent life-supporting interventions, and stabilised trauma cases, often dealing with patients facing significant social challenges. Following this, he joined a large ICU unit in his hometown, where he acquired essential additional skills that would prove beneficial when he moved to Australia.

In 2014, Dr. Santiago relocated to Australia, facing the challenge of re-establishing himself as a medical practitioner in a new language and culture. After successfully passing his exams, he worked in various health services across Australia, including General Practice, Cardiology, Internal Medicine, and Rural and Remote Medicine, in locations such as the Central Coast, Mackay, Brisbane, Toowoomba, Clifton, Mount Isa, Shepparton, Lismore, and now Wollongong. In his last appointment in Clifton, he served as the Principal Doctor for a rural community in Queensland, managing a practice of 2,500 patients, a 52-bed nursing home, and a 12-bed subacute hospital.

After completing postgraduate studies in Critical Care at the University of Sydney and obtaining his Fellowship from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, Dr. Santiago moved to Wollongong with his wife and son to enjoy a less stressful lifestyle surrounded by family.

Dr. Santiago's experience in these challenging environments has developed exceptional problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and resourcefulness, making him a versatile clinician. His proficiency in delivering comprehensive healthcare with minimal support translates seamlessly to more resource-rich communities, where his ability to optimize available resources, coordinate complex care, and implement preventive health strategies can significantly enhance patient outcomes. His dedication to holistic and patient-centered care ensures that he provides high-quality medical services regardless of the setting, improving health outcomes across diverse populations.

Dr Santiago is a member of the following associations