Prior to earning her Master's of Science in Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto, Santana completed an Honours Bachelor’s in Human Kinetics at the University of Guelph. During her time as a student, she competed as a goalkeeper on the Varsity Women’s Soccer team at U of G and U of T alongside her studies.

As a physiotherapy student and lifelong athlete, Santana has spent time on both sides of the table. During her undergraduate degree, Santana suffered a concussion and subsequent care that led to a second impact. This injury had huge repercussions on her life and she was out of sport and work for over a year. This experience deeply impacted her drive and passion for physiotherapy, as she focused on placement opportunities working with neurological injuries like stroke, spinal cord, TBI, and concussion. This experience is complemented by time spent working with an orthopaedic population, and her time as a high-level athlete. Santana is passionate about helping patients achieve their goals by providing the evidence-based and patient-centered care that she would have benefited from during her own rehabilitation journey. 

When she’s not in the gym or working, Santana spends her time with friends and family, finding new places in Toronto to explore, and hanging out with her dog.