Jorge “Lou” Santiago, OTR/L

Jorge "Lou" Santiago joined Northwest Orthopedic Specialists (NWOS) as a Staff Occupational Therapist in Hand Therapy in August 2024. Prior to joining the NWOS team, Lou served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years before retiring in 2016. He received his Masters of Occupational Therapy degree from Eastern Washington University along with a Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies. Lou's undergraduate degree was also from Eastern where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Exercise Science and Psychology.

Lou was drawn to occupational therapy due to being a post ACL repair OT patient. After experiencing first hand the impact an OT can have on the recovery process, he knew he wanted to have that kind of an effect in peoples’ lives. As on occupational therapist, it’s Lou's goal to return patients back to the activities that fill their lives. His interest is not only those daily task that help patients remain independent, but those activities that make them who they are. One of Lou's passions is adaptive athletics and recreation. Through local area programs he has been able to contribute to getting people to participate in everything from martial arts to skiing.

In his spare time, Lou enjoys spending time with his family and engaged in sports and outdoor activities.

Qualifications

Undergraduate Studies

Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA—Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Exercise Science and Psychology

Graduate Studies

Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA—Masters of Occupational Therapy

Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA—Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies