About
hello! i’m sandra
Trauma & Acute care Surgeon | Vegan foodie
It’s a pleasure to connect with you! I’m a trauma surgeon by profession and a devoted dog mom to my doodle rescue, Arlo. I’ve also been a dedicated vegan for over a decade. One question I’m often asked is why I chose to go vegan. My decision was primarily driven by ethical concerns. After watching eye-opening videos and documentaries that revealed the suffering endured by animals raised for food, I immediately committed to eliminating animal products from my life. Being a firm believer in evidence-based science, I then explored the health benefits of a plant-based diet by reading scholarly books and papers. I discovered that a whole food plant-based diet can not only prevent but also reverse many common chronic diseases. Plus, the environmental benefits of this lifestyle are undeniable.
My passion project, Plantiful Surgeon, began 10 years ago when I first embraced veganism. Initially, it was just an Instagram handle and a blog where I shared vegan recipes and cruelty-free content. However, due to the demands of my residency, I had to set it aside. Even though I paused my content creation, my commitment to living a cruelty-free, plant-based life remained steadfast. Now, I’ve returned to this project with renewed enthusiasm!
Through Plantiful Surgeon, I aim to share my unique perspective as a healthcare professional and long-time vegan. My mission is to inspire and educate those who are curious about incorporating more plant-based meals into their lives, whether they’re simply exploring or ready to fully commit to veganism. I’ll be sharing recipes, tips for living a plant-based lifestyle, insights on cruelty-free products, and the health advantages of plant-based living. Ultimately, I want to help others discover the joy of cooking plant-based meals and embrace the many benefits of plant-based living!
Ready to begin your journey to wellness?
I can’t wait to work with you!
get to know me
Education and training
- Bachelor of Science Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami
- Doctor of Medicine, University of South Florida
- General Surgery Residency, University of Rochester
- Pediatric Surgery Research Fellowship, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
- Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Trauma Fellowship, University of Miami
- Masters of Science in Public Health, University of Miami
Certifications
- Board Certified General Surgery
- Board Certified Surgical Critical Care
- Certified Nutrition Support Clinician
- Currently working on a Certification in Culinary Medicine