Luis Cerda Centeno, MD

Meet Luis Cerda Centeno, MD

Fellowship-Trained Cardiothoracic Surgeon Bringing Heart and Chest Surgery Closer to Home in Santa Fe

When you or someone you love faces heart surgery, a lung tumor, or a complex condition inside the chest, having a fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon nearby can make all the difference. Dr. Luis Cerda Centeno brings that level of specialized surgical expertise to Northern New Mexico through CHRISTUS Health in Santa Fe. He earned his medical degree from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, completed his general surgery residency at New York Medical College at Metropolitan Hospital Center, and finished his cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center with Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, one of the country's most rigorous training programs for heart and thoracic surgery. Board-certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Cerda Centeno treats conditions of the heart, lungs, esophagus, and chest using both traditional open and minimally invasive surgical techniques, giving patients in Santa Fe and the surrounding region access to high-level cardiac and thoracic care without traveling to a distant city.

Career at a Glance

• Fellowship-trained in cardiothoracic surgery at Montefiore Medical Center / Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Board-certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery
• 11–20 years of experience in cardiothoracic and general surgery
• Subspecialty expertise in adult cardiac surgery, cardiovascular surgery, and thoracic surgical oncology
• Co-author of a peer-reviewed case report on the surgical management of a rare coronary artery anomaly during acute aortic dissection

Clinical Role and Leadership

Dr. Cerda Centeno serves as a cardiothoracic surgeon at the CHRISTUS Health Heart & Vascular Center in Santa Fe, where he strengthens the region's ability to treat serious conditions of the heart and chest locally. His fellowship training and surgical volume in procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting and lung resection allow patients across Northern New Mexico's seven-county service area to receive complex cardiothoracic care close to home, rather than traveling hours for treatment.

He provides specialized care for conditions such as:

• Coronary artery disease requiring bypass surgery
• Lung tumors and lung cancer requiring surgical resection
• Esophageal conditions requiring thoracic surgery
• Diseases of the chest wall and mediastinum
• Heart valve conditions
• Thoracic aortic disease
• Other complex cardiothoracic conditions requiring both open and minimally invasive approaches

What You Can Expect from Care with Dr. Cerda Centeno

Patients consistently describe Dr. Cerda Centeno as thorough, knowledgeable, and direct, someone who explains complex surgical decisions in terms you can understand. His approach to care starts with a careful evaluation, moves into a clear conversation about your options, and stays focused on your safety and recovery throughout the entire surgical process.

You can expect:

• A thorough examination and honest assessment of your condition and surgical options
• Clear, understandable explanations of what surgery involves, including risks, recovery, and expected outcomes
• Personalized surgical planning that considers your overall health and goals
• Careful follow-up to monitor your healing and address any concerns after surgery
• A calm, respectful experience from consultation through recovery

Advanced Surgical Innovation

Dr. Cerda Centeno is trained in both traditional open and minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgical techniques. This dual capability allows him to select the approach best suited to each patient's anatomy and condition, whether that means a full sternotomy for complex bypass surgery or a less invasive approach that can reduce pain, shorten hospital stays, and support a faster return to daily life. His procedural focus includes coronary artery bypass grafting and lung resection, two of the most demanding procedures in cardiothoracic surgery, both of which require precision, experience, and sound surgical judgment.

Research, Clinical Insight, and Thought Leadership

Dr. Cerda Centeno has contributed to medical literature as a co-author of a peer-reviewed case report documenting the surgical management of an anomalous aortic right coronary artery discovered during an acute type A aortic dissection, a rare and clinically complex scenario. This type of work reflects the ability to manage unexpected findings during high-stakes surgery and contributes to the broader surgical community's understanding of how to navigate uncommon cardiac anatomy in emergency settings.

Commitment to Community Access

Cardiothoracic surgery is a specialty that many patients in rural and semi-rural communities must travel long distances to access. By practicing through CHRISTUS Health in Santa Fe, Dr. Cerda Centeno helps ensure that patients in Northern New Mexico have a board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon available within their own region. This reduces the burden of travel during some of the most physically and emotionally demanding moments in a patient's life, when proximity to family, home, and familiar surroundings matter most.