Lauren Santiesteban, MD

Dr. Lauren G. Santiesteban MD, a UCSF Health provider, is an orthopedic surgeon with specialty training in hand and upper extremity surgery. Treating all conditions of the upper extremity, from the simple to the complex, Dr. Santiesteban’s philosophy of care is that each patient should be treated as a unique person and not in a cookie-cutter, protocol-only approach. She spends time getting to know each patient, and works with the patient to choose the right treatment, whether surgical or nonsurgical, that is best for his/her specific situation.

Dr. Santiesteban graduated with honors with a B.A. degree in Anthropology and Biochemistry from Indiana University, and she then received her MD degree from New York University School of Medicine. After medical school, she completed residency in Orthopedic Surgery at New York University Langone Health Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Most recently, Dr. Santiesteban completed her fellowship at UCSF in Hand, Elbow, and Upper Extremity in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

An active researcher, Dr. Santiesteban has published several peer-reviewed papers covering her clinical studies as well as diversity in orthopaedics. As a mentor, she actively volunteers with high school and college STEM students, as well as medical students through the Perry Initiative. She previously served as a Medical Brigade Volunteer and Translator with Timmy Global Health in Guatemala.