sherpaa:

Meet Dr. Ida Santana. Ida is an integral part of the Sherpaa clinical team and answers many of the calls and emails we get from clients. She is triple boarded in Pediatrics, Palliative Medicine, and Internal Medicine. Ida is a special person to me. She was my chief resident during my pediatric residency. And it’s such an honor to work with her again. She’s not only one of my favorite people in the world, she’s one of the finest doctors you will ever meet. We asked her a few questions so you all can get to know her better.

What’s your favorite thing about being a doctor?

Being a physician is an incredible honor. Witnessing and helping people tap into their own internal ability to heal themselves is sacred and tremendously fulfilling.

What makes NYC special to you?

The skyline takes my breath away. I love the bustling crowds, the artistic eccentrics, and the magical sense that anything could happen here, and you don’t have to apologize for being who you are.

Besides being a doctor, how do you spend your time?

My favorite time is brunch with my husband on the weekends, planting flowers in our backyard garden, and walking along the Hudson River together. I’m a devotee of Jivamukti yoga, and I also love to bake, read the New Yorker, and make quilts.

Tell us about your decision to become a doctor.

My mother is one of the Farm midwives, and I started going to births with my mother when I was 12 years-old. I knew from an early age that I had the capacity to help people heal, and I remember saying I wanted to be a doctor when I was 10 years-old.

We all know health care is broken. What is it about Sherpaa that makes you feel like you’re part of the solution?

The business side of medicine and healing art of medicine are very often incompatible. Many physicians are incentivized to practice medicine in a way that maximizes profits. Sherpaa turns this business model on its head. Care is centered around the patient’s needs, and the incentive is not to line the physician’s pockets by providing expensive medical care which the patient may not need. With Sherpaa our goal is discern the most effective, efficient, and intelligent way for the patient to heal and to save the patient as much time, money, and aggravation as possible. Sherpaa is a invaluable resource that combines medical expertise with an indiviual’s unique medical concerns.

Our doctors are simply amazing. Good, mission driven, smart, and experienced. So proud.