Arlene J. Morales, MD, FACOG

The topic of women’s health is and was always a topic of discussion at the family dinner table. Growing up in a lineage of Hispanic physicians, Dr. Arlene Morales, M.D., always knew medicine was the career path for her, and the tradition continues with one of her daughters (2nd-year medical student). Her decision to become a physician came much sooner than for most people, as she graduated from medical school at 23.

As she completed her medical training, in vitro fertilization (IVF) was in its infancy. This subspecialty combined her particular interests of technology, psychology, bioethics, and surgery – still elements that drive Dr. Morales’s passion and commitment to her patients.

Dr. Morales founded Fertility Specialist Medical Group in 2000 with the intention of creating a clinic that serves everyone in need – no matter their situation – and focused on their family-building goals, not just the next pregnancy. When she founded FSMG, the IVF industry was a male-dominated field. Overcoming this disparity to create a successful multiculturally aware clinic is something of which Dr. Morales is exceptionally proud.

Dr. Morales engages to keep her patients’ spirits high and focused on their long-term goals using humor in her interactions with patients and staff. By finding levity and opportunities to experience joy in the most trying of times during fertility treatment, Dr. Morales hopes to keep her patients’ spirits high and focused on their long-term goals.

Dr. Morales is nationally recognized as a leader in reproductive medicine and has been continuously peer-voted a Top Doctor in San Diego Magazine in Reproductive Endocrinology since the category’s conception in 2012. She has become embedded in San Diego County Medical Community by serving on a variety of Hospital (Longstanding Chair Bioethics, Quality Of Care, Wellness) and IPA committees (Physician Wellness, QOC, Utilization Review) as well as an elected Board Member of the San Diego County Medical Society and elected member of the Political Action Committee of the California Medical Association. She is a frequently invited speaker on bioethics and procreative technologies. She continues her commitment to teaching (medical student) as well as collaborative clinical research. While she values accolades, she believes coming into work and helping patients is her greatest professional privilege.