About
Dr. Helena Santos-Martins earned her BA in Biology and Pre-Medicine from Rutgers University in Newark before completing her medical degree at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, now Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, in 1997. She completed both her internship and residency in Internal Medicine and Primary Care at Cambridge Health Alliance in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She holds board certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and brings more than 20 years of clinical experience to her patients. She speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Early in her career, Dr. Santos-Martins served as an Instructor of Medicine and student preceptor at Harvard Medical School from 2000 to 2010. She also mentored internal medicine residents at Cambridge Health Alliance. Blue Cross Blue Shield recognized her with the Physician Excellence Award at Cambridge Health Alliance multiple years running, and she earned the Harvard Macy Scholar distinction in 2009. Her clinical interests include women's health, cardiovascular health, diabetes, hypertension, mental health, and preventive care. She co-authored the chapter "Caring for the Older Portuguese-American Patient" in the American Geriatrics Society's Doorway Thoughts, Volume II. She co-founded the Dr. Edward Leitão Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2015 and serves on the Advisory Board of the Saab Center for Portuguese Studies at UMASS-Lowell. She has spoken at health fairs on topics including diabetes, cervical and breast cancers, menopause, and nutrition since 1999, and she reached Portuguese-speaking audiences through radio, newspaper, and national television appearances in 2020.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Rutgers University, BA Biology/Pre-Medicine, 1993
Medical School
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - New Jersey Medical School (UMDNJ-NJMS, now Rutgers New Jersey Medical School), Doctorate of Medicine, 1997
Residency
Cambridge Health Alliance, Internal Medicine/Primary Care, 1998-2000
Additional Training
Internship: Cambridge Health Alliance, Internal Medicine/Primary Care, 1997-1998
Certifications
Languages
English, Portuguese, Spanish
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Santos-Martins right for?
Dr. Santos-Martins is an excellent fit for adults who want a primary care physician with deep internal medicine expertise. Women seeking focused care around cardiovascular health, menopause, or preventive screening benefit from her specialized interests. Patients managing diabetes or hypertension gain from her two-decade clinical focus on both conditions. Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking patients find a physician who communicates fluently in their language. Adults who value direct, around-the-clock access to their own physician will appreciate her practice model.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Santos-Martins focuses on women's health, cardiovascular health, diabetes, hypertension, mental health, and preventive care. Her clinical interests have remained consistent across her more than 20 years of internal medicine practice. She brings particular depth to managing chronic conditions and guiding patients through preventive strategies.
Yes, Dr. Santos-Martins holds certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine. She earned her medical degree in 1997 and completed her residency training at Cambridge Health Alliance.
Dr. Santos-Martins completed her medical degree at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, now Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. She then completed both her internship and residency in Internal Medicine and Primary Care at Cambridge Health Alliance in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Yes, Dr. Santos-Martins served as an Instructor of Medicine and student preceptor at Harvard Medical School from 2000 to 2010. She also mentored internal medicine residents at Cambridge Health Alliance during that period.
Dr. Santos-Martins speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish. She has actively reached Portuguese-speaking communities through health fairs, radio, newspaper, and national television appearances.
Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield recognized Dr. Santos-Martins with the Physician Excellence Award at Cambridge Health Alliance across multiple years. She also earned the Harvard Macy Scholar distinction in 2009.
Yes, Dr. Santos-Martins sees every patient personally. Her practice does not use nurse practitioners or physician assistants for patient visits.
Dr. Santos-Martins holds affiliations with North Shore Medical Center-Salem Hospital and Mass General Brigham. These affiliations support continuity of care when her patients need hospital-level services.
Doctor profile last updated March 21, 2026