ABOUT US
Our Medical Director
Cesar Santiago, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is the medical director of Santiago Surgical Advisors, PLLC. He is a boardcertified colon and rectal surgeon specializing in conditions such as colon and rectal cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and pelvic floor disorders. Dr. Santiago uses advanced robotic surgery to offer patients less invasive options with faster recovery and better outcomes. With a reputation for excellence in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Santiago was named an Epicenter by Intuitive Surgical, where surgeons from around the world come to learn his techniques. He has lectured on and proctored many robotic surgeries around the world. Dr. Santiago is also a highly sought after global lecturer and key opinion leader in robotic surgery.
Originally from Puerto Rico, he earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his medical degree at the Ponce School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan and a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at the University of Miami.
Before joining CHRISTUS Health System, he held Medical Directorships at the Center for Advanced Robotic Surgery in Tampa, FL, the Sarah Cannon Research Institute and Cancer Center in Nashville, TN, the Digestive Disease Network Lower GI Malignancies at Baptist Health Systems in San Antonio, TX and the South Texas Colorectal Center in New Braunfels, TX.
Dr. Santiago's "My Why..."
My path into medicine was never just a career decision—it was deeply personal.
When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, our lives changed overnight. What began as one battle evolved into another when her disease progressed into colon cancer. I experienced firsthand what it means to navigate the healthcare system not just as a future physician, but as a son — watching, questioning, hoping, and at times, feeling powerless.
That experience shaped me in ways I couldn’t ignore. As I moved through medical school and faced the question every physician must answer—“What will you specialize in?”—the answer became clear. I chose colorectal surgery, not simply because of clinical interest, but because of purpose.
I wanted to help patients like my mother.
But as I entered practice, I began to see a much larger, more troubling reality.
I realized that I wasn’t reaching everyone who needed care—only a small fraction. Access to specialized cancer treatment is not equal in the United States. Patients in major academic centers often receive world-class care, while those in rural or underserved communities face limited resources, fewer specialists, and lower-quality outcomes.
I saw how race, socioeconomic status, and geography shape who gets care—and who doesn’t.
I saw patients delayed, dismissed, or denied the treatment they deserved.
I saw hospitals struggling to deliver quality care with limited support, and surgeons carrying immense responsibility while larger systems profited. I saw burnout, frustration, and a growing disconnect between why we enter medicine and what we experience every day.
And I reached a breaking point. I could no longer accept a system where a patient’s outcome depends on where they live, what they earn, or how they are perceived.
That’s why I founded Santiago Surgical Advisors, PLLC.
My mission is twofold:
First, to improve the quality of surgical and cancer care—regardless of location. Every patient deserves access to safe, high-quality treatment, whether they are in a major city, a rural town, or an island community.
Second, to support the surgeons and healthcare teams delivering that care. Surgeons today are under intense pressure—measured by metrics, stretched by limited resources, and often left without the support needed to succeed. This leads to burnout, dissatisfaction, and ultimately impacts patient outcomes.
I believe we can do better.
By improving hospital quality metrics, empowering surgical teams, and creating systems that prioritize both patient outcomes and physician well-being, we can build a model of care that is equitable, sustainable, and human-centered.
This work is personal for me.
Because behind every statistic is a person.
Behind every system failure is a family like mine.
And behind every opportunity to improve care is a chance to change someone’s life.
Keep well,
Meet
Our Team
Hugh L. Gordon is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and former FedEx Express Captain serving as Director of Business Development for Santiago Surgical Advisors, PLLC. He brings over 40 years of leadership experience in high-stakes, complex environments, with deep expertise in strategic growth and operational excellence. Hugh focuses on building partnerships with hospital systems and surgical leaders to expand impactful surgical coaching programs. Now living in New Braunfels, Texas, he brings a disciplined, relationship-driven approach grounded in integrity and results with a commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.
Kutrell Prescott is a business development strategist focused on engineering scalable growth at the intersection of AI, high-performance sales, and operational strategy. He specializes in precision-driven industries, particularly surgical consulting, where efficiency, trust, and measurable outcomes are critical. He partners with surgical teams to optimize referral pipelines, strengthen provider relationships, and increase case volume without compromising care quality.
Grounded in modern sales psychology, Kutrell builds conversion systems aligned with how medical professionals make decisions. By leveraging AI, he streamlines patient acquisition, follow-up, and scheduling, identifies bottlenecks, and implements scalable solutions that drive stronger networks, improved outcomes, and sustained business performance.
Susan Pfeuffer is the Chief Financial Officer at Santiago Surgical Advisors, PLLC, where she leverages her extensive financial expertise to help clients achieve their performance metrics and long-term financial goals. She earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Colorado State University.
Before joining Santiago Surgical Advisors, Susan held leadership roles as Vice President of Finance at Fig Street Marketing Group and Business Development Manager at Hewlett-Packard. Dedicated to community service, she has also served as Treasurer on the Boards of Directors for the MetaCancer Foundation and Knock Out Abuse West.
Linda J. Gordon serves as the Director of Business Operations for Santiago Surgical Advisors, PLLC. A business professional with a background in management and a strong track record in both nonprofit leadership and financial consulting, Linda led a $2 million nonprofit retail operation that generated over $200,000 in charitable contributions. Linda was the founder of an LLC focused on helping small businesses resolve accounting discrepancies and strengthen financial accuracy. She has always been involved in community service through organizations such as the Red Cross, South Carolina Aquarium, and Folly Beach sea turtle conservation efforts. Now living in New Braunfels TX, she brings ideas to reality with a focus on improving healthcare outcomes through better surgical processes.