Meet Blanca I. Fresno, M.D.
Pediatrician, mother, educator and author — born in Argentina, trained in Michigan, and caring for San Diego families for more than 30 years.
An immigrant’s journey into pediatrics
I immigrated to the United States in 1981, beginning my journey in Miami, Florida, where my family was living at the time. After several challenging attempts, I was accepted into a pediatric residency program in Flint, Michigan, in 1985. That marked the true beginning of my “American journey.”
The cultural shift was profound. I found myself navigating not only a demanding medical path, but also the emotional process of shedding pieces of my Argentinian identity in order to assimilate into a new way of life. That transition, while difficult, deepened my empathy—especially for the immigrant families I now serve. I know firsthand the courage it takes to begin again in a new place.
I spent three formative years in Michigan, where I became both a physician and a mother. My first son, Sidney, was born during my internship—the very first year of my American residency. That experience shaped not only my approach to medicine but also my unwavering dedication to the families and children I care for today.
Caring for families, in the office and beyond
Dr. Fresno is a dedicated mother, educator, pediatrician, and an author who was born in Argentina and practiced in San Diego for over 30 years. She is board-certified and has two children.
She is very passionate about providing medical care to families at her pediatric practice as well as outside the office. As a writer, Dr. Fresno hopes to use her platform to encourage parents to grow alongside their children instead of being just witnesses to their children’s growth.
Because she, too, once had to begin again in a new country, she writes with special care for immigrant and Latino families—which is why her book is available in both English and Spanish.
- Medical schoolUniversity of Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Internship & residencyHurley Medical Center, Flint, Michigan
- SpecialtyPediatrics · Board-certified
- LanguagesEnglish & Spanish
- In practiceSan Diego County, 30+ years
- BooksFrom the Moment They Are Born · Desde Que Nacen
From Buenos Aires to San Diego
Every chapter of Dr. Fresno’s life—leaving home, training far from family, becoming a mother during residency—found its way into the pages of her book.
- 1981
A new beginning
Immigrates to the United States, starting in Miami, Florida, where her family was living.
- 1985
Pediatric residency
Accepted into a pediatric residency program in Flint, Michigan, after several challenging attempts.
- Flint
Physician and mother
Her first son, Sidney, is born during her internship—the very first year of her American residency.
- 30+
Years in San Diego
Decades of caring for children and families as a board-certified pediatrician in San Diego County.
- 2025
Author
Publishes From the Moment They Are Born and its Spanish edition, Desde Que Nacen.
Where Dr. Fresno sees patients
Read her story, and the lessons she learned along the way
From the Moment They Are Born is available in paperback (English) and as a Kindle eBook in Spanish.