Michelle Santiago is a Physician Assistant for Horizon Health Services. She provides polysubstance medical detox and stabilization as well as Internal Medicine and Psychiatry services to individuals in a residential setting. She is passionate about providing care to high-risk individuals in underserved areas who are struggling with addiction and mental health disorders. She came to Horizon Health Services in 2014 after spending the first part of her career in the fields of Neurology at Dent Neurologic Institute and Neuro-Oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Michelle is a clinical preceptor to medical students and residents in the Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, as well as to physicians in the University at Buffalo Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. Michelle also serves as a consultant for Alkermes in the specialty of Addiction Medicine. She is a provider of and strong advocate for Medication Assisted Treatment as a tool in the management of substance use disorders.
In addition to her ROME Board membership, Michelle also serves as a Board member for the University at Buffalo Center for Childcare. She is a zealous believer in the value of educational enrichment and diversified leaning. She believes in cultivating and inspiring young minds, fostering the development of intellectual creativity and risk-taking along with the practice of lifetime learning.
Michelle holds an Interdisciplinary Master of Science degree in Psychology and Nutrition with a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from D’Youville University. She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, both from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has worked as an educator for more than two decades serving as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the State University of New York at Buffalo and in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at D’Youville University.
Michelle and her husband Jason reside in Amherst with their beautiful daughter and beloved cat. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
