Dr Annael Santillan

**Dr. Annael Santillán** graduated from medical school in 2013 and is a certified Family Medicine specialist through the **Universidad de Guadalajara (UDG)** (2025). She also holds a diploma in Thanatology from the **Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)**, strengthening her expertise in emotional support, grief processes, and end-of-life care.

Originally from the State of Zacatecas, Dr. Santillán has lived in Mazatlán, Ciudad Juárez, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, giving her a bilingual and bicultural perspective that allows her to work seamlessly with both Mexican and international patients. She has been based in Puerto Vallarta since 2006.

With over 10 years of experience in tourism medicine and Mexican institutional healthcare, she has developed extensive expertise in preventive care, acute medical attention, and patient-centered treatment. Her background ensures safety, professionalism, and compassionate medical oversight for retreat participants.

Coming from a family with a history of alcoholism and substance abuse, Dr. Santillán brings a deeply personal understanding of addiction and its impact on individuals and families. This lived awareness, combined with her dedication to Family Medicine, has shaped her strong commitment to social well-being, mental health, and integrative healing.

In 2025, she began collaborating with Nirvana & Kambo Wellness Center, expanding her professional path into the retreat and integrative medicine space. Her knowledge of Family Medicine, Thanatology, and ancestral healing practices has created a holistic approach to physical, emotional, and spiritual health — a path she is honored to walk alongside those seeking recovery and transformation.

Dr. Santillán believes that true healing emerges when science, compassion, and ancestral wisdom come together in service of the whole person.