Dr. Arturo J. Sáenz Quintanilla, MD

Dr. Arturo J. Sáenz Quintanilla is the Medical Director of Arkana International and a board-certified neurosurgeon with over 30 years of clinical experience. He is recognized in peer-reviewed neurosurgical literature as one of the physicians who helped introduce Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery to Mexico and Latin America, and he brings that depth of medical expertise to the oversight of Arkana’s guest screening and safety protocols.

Dr. Sáenz received his medical degree in 1991 from the Universidad Autónoma de México, specialized in neurosurgery at UNAM, and completed a fellowship in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery at Wayne State University in the United States. He currently serves as an attending neurosurgeon at Hospital San Javier in Guadalajara (the first institution in Latin America to offer Gamma Knife technology) and as Director of Interneuro, a private neurosurgical practice. He is the author of 10 published articles in peer-reviewed journals and 3 textbook chapters, and has been board-certified by the Mexican Society of Neurological Surgery since 1996.

As Medical Director of Arkana, Dr. Sáenz oversees the medical safety protocols at Arkana. His clinical expertise ensures that medication interactions, contraindications, and neurological and psychological considerations are properly identified before anyone enters ceremony. His presence in Arkana’s leadership reflects a core value: that the spiritual work of sacred medicine ceremonies must be paired with the highest standards of medical oversight. Over 11 years and thousands of guests, Arkana has maintained a perfect safety record, and Dr. Sáenz’s involvement is a significant part of that achievement.

Professional Credentials

• MD, Universidad Autónoma de México (1991)
• Neurosurgery Specialization, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
• Fellowship, Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Wayne State University (USA)
• Board-Certified, Mexican Society of Neurological Surgery (since 1996)
• 10 published articles and 3 textbook chapters in neurosurgery
• Attending Neurosurgeon, Centro de Neuro-radiocirugía, Hospital San Javier (Guadalajara)
• Director, Interneuro (private neurosurgical practice, Guadalajara)
• Faculty, Neurological Surgery, Hospital Central Sur de Alta Especialidad (Mexico City)

Areas of Specialization

• Brain tumor management
• Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery
• Movement disorders and trigeminal neuralgia
• Vascular malformations
• Complex spinal problems and head injury
• Neuromodulation surgery
• Cerebral endoscopy

Learn more about Arkana’s health and safety protocols, review our preparation process, or contact us with any medical questions about attending a retreat.

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