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Elizabeth J. Santos, M.D.

Elizabeth J. Santos, M.D.

she/her/hers

Mental Health and Wellness

4.8 out of 5 stars
91 Ratings
8 Comments
UR Medicine Faculty The University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group (URMFG) consists of over 900 specialist and primary care providers spanning 19 departments. URMFG is certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
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Not Accepting New Patients

Contact

Appointment (585) 273-5454

About Me

Elizabeth J. Santos, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Santos is the Clinical Chief of the Division of Geriatric Mental Health and Memory Care. When patients and families are faced with demen...
Elizabeth J. Santos, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Santos is the Clinical Chief of the Division of Geriatric Mental Health and Memory Care. When patients and families are faced with dementia and possible sequelae such as severe neuropsychiatric symptoms like psychosis, assistance is needed from a variety of sources, not just physicians. As Director of the Strong Behavioral Health Older Adult Services and Medical Director of the URMC Memory Care Program, Dr. Santos has led multidisciplinary teams caring for patients and families who are dealing with dementia at all levels. Her other work focuses on elder abuse and neglect, capacity evaluation, training evaluators, attorneys and law enforcement and advocacy for older adults. Nationally, she is very active with the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, the American Psychiatric Association, the American College of Psychiatrists and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Psychiatry, Research (SMD)

Associate Professor - Department of Medicine, Geriatrics/Aging (SMD) - Joint

Associate Professor - Department of Neurology, NMD (SMD) - Joint

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Geriatric Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2004 - 2006

Residency, Psychiatry, State University of New York College at Buffalo. 2000 - 2004

Education

MPH | University of Rochester. 2013

MD | Our Lady of Fatima University College of Medicine (Philippines). 2000

Awards

Distinguished Fellow, American Psychiatric Association. 2016

Harford Center of Excellence Scholars Award. 2012

University of Rochester, Department of Psychiatry, Excellence in Clinical Care Award. 2010

University of Rochester, Collier Mental Health Research Poster Award, 2nd place. 2007

University of Rochester, Department of Psychiatry, John Romano Award. 2006

American Medical Directors Association Futures Program. 2005

American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry Public Policy Institute, participant. 2005

Western New York American Psychiatric Association Travel Scholarship. 2003

American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry Stepping Stones Program. 2003

Manila Central University Alumni Award. 1995

Dean's List, University of Rochester. 1992 - 1993

National Merit Scholar. 1989

National Honor Society. 1988

Buffalo Medical Foundation, Minority Student Research Fellowship, 2 summers. 1988 - 1989

Publications

Journal Articles

Patient- and Caregiver-Reported Impact of Symptoms in Alzheimer Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia.

Seabury J, Weinstein J, Varma A, Rosero SJ, Engebrecht C, Arky A, Zizzi C, Dilek N, Mathewson A, Salem-Spencer S, Santos EJ, Heatwole CR

Neurology. Clinical practice.. 2025 February 15 (1):e200418. Epub 12/06/2024.

Drug Development.

Shupe C, Seabury J, Varma A, Weinstein J, Engebrecht C, Rosero S, Irwin C, Dilek N, Arky A, Santos E, Heatwole C

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association.. 2024 December 20 Suppl 6 :e087655. Epub 1900 01 01.

Aggression Towards Caregivers in Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders: A Mixed Methods Study.

Macchi ZA, Seshadri S, Ayele R, Bock M, Long J, Coats H, Miyasaki J, Pantilat SZ, Katz M, Santos EJ, Sillau SH, Lum HD, Kluger BM

Movement disorders clinical practice.. 2022 October 9 (7):920-931. Epub 09/07/2022.

Scaling Supply to Meet Behavioral Health Needs in New York State Nursing Homes

Simning AC; Tsun ZY; Shah NR; Santos EJ; Press-Ellingham L; Hasselberg MJ.

New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery. 2022; 3.

Strategies to Promote Social Connections Among Older Adults During "Social Distancing" Restrictions.

Van Orden KA, Bower E, Lutz J, Silva C, Gallegos AM, Podgorski CA, Santos EJ, Conwell Y

The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.. 2021 August 29 (8):816-827. Epub 05/18/2020.

Longitudinal prevalence and correlates of elder mistreatment among older adults receiving home visiting nursing.

Friedman B, Santos EJ, Liebel DV, Russ AJ, Conwell Y

Journal of elder abuse & neglect.. 2015 27 (1):34-64. Epub 11/24/2014.

Does the health status of intimate partner violence victims warrant pharmacies as portals for public health promotion?

Cerulli C, Cerulli J, Santos EJ, Lu N, He H, Kaukeinen K, White AM, Tu X

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA.. 2010 50 (2):200-6. Epub 1900 01 01.

Books

What Do I Do Now: Geriatric Psychiatry (2022)

Chapter: Mild Cognitive Impairment: Am I losing my mind?

Authors: Santos, EJ, Kristan, AM

Publisher: Oxford University Press 2022

Ethics and Vulnerable Elders: The Quest for Individual Rights and A Just Society (2019)

Chapter: Cognitive Impairment

Authors: Santos EJ, Hadeed CN

Publisher: Cognella 2019

Elder Abuse: Research, Practice and Policy (2017)

Chapter: Medical Decision-Making Capacity and Ethical Considerations

Authors: Santos EJ, Hadeed CN

Publisher: Springer 2017

Suicide From A Global Perspective: Public Health Approaches (2012)

Chapter: Prevention of Suicide in Older Adults

Authors: Santos EJ, Conwell Y

Publisher: Nova Science 2012

Workplace Violence in Mental Health and General Healthcare Settings (2011)

Chapter: Violence in Medical and Psychiatric Emergency Services

Authors: Currier GW, Santos EJ

Publisher: Jones and Bartlett 2011

Handbook of Assessment in Clinical Gerontology (2010)

Chapter: Assessment of Elder Abuse

Authors: Santos EJ, King DA

Publisher: Elsevier 2010

International Handbook of Suicide Prevention (2009)

Chapter: Prevention of Suicide in Older Adults

Authors: Santos EJ, Conwell Y

Publisher: Gaskell Publications 2009

Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry (2009)

Chapter: Elder Mistreatment and Self-Neglect

Authors: Santos EJ, Goldstein MZ

Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins 2009

The Encyclopedia of Elder Care (2008)

Chapter: Suicide

Authors: Santos EJ, Conwell, Y

Publisher: Springer Publishing Company 2008

Ratings & Comments

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

Care provider's discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

4.7 stars

Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

4.7 stars

Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

4.7 stars

Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care

4.7 stars

Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

4.7 stars

Patient Comments

5.0 stars

[...] She was concerned and did a nice job

Jan 31, 2025

5.0 stars

The doctor was excellent

Jan 10, 2025

5.0 stars

Dr Santos was wonderful, caring and compassionate.

May 04, 2024

5.0 stars

This doctor and staff are phenomenal!

May 04, 2024

5.0 stars

I had a very satisfactory experience.

Dec 21, 2023

5.0 stars

Dr. Santos was rushed because I arrived late for my appointment, but she still took time to listen to me and explain what she believes my condition(s) are. [...]

Nov 22, 2023

5.0 stars

It was very good. I felt calm, not pressured into everything.

Jan 26, 2023

Dr Santos is super. Very caring and concerned for her patients.

Jan 15, 2023