At Hospital Infantil de las Californias in Tijuana, the first thing many visitors notice isn’t the high-tech surgical suites or the impressive roster of volunteer specialists. It’s the smiles.
“The hospital is famous for making kids smile,” said Leonard Kornreich, MD, a longtime board member and pediatrician. “They make them smile by physically correcting their teeth and palates, and also give them a positive spirit. They are all treated like royalty regardless of their circumstances.”
Founded in 1994 by the San Diego-based Foundation for the Children of the Californias, Hospital Infantil was established in response to the urgent need for accessible pediatric specialty care in northern Baja California. The vision emerged from a groundbreaking cross-border partnership between U.S. and Mexican medical professionals, bringing high-quality care to underserved families.
A drone image of Hospital Infantil de las Californias in Tijuana. (Photo courtesy of the Foundation for the Children of the Californias)While most patients are from Mexico, approximately 6% are U.S. residents from the border area, many of whom cross to receive affordable, culturally-sensitive care. Despite eligibility for Medicaid in the U.S., fear of immigration enforcement often prevents families from enrolling, delaying care and deepening health disparities.
Dr. Kornreich, who has served on the FCC board for over 23 years, was recruited by the organization’s founder, Betty Jones, whom he calls an inspiration. Having practiced pediatrics in Chula Vista for nearly five decades, he is deeply familiar with the unique needs of border families.
“When regulatory concerns arise, many families who would otherwise enroll their eligible children in Medicaid avoid doing so out of fear — fear of deportation or retaliation — even if those fears may be unfounded,” he said.
As a result, more underserved children on the U.S. side of the border go without care simply because their families are afraid to engage with the system. While pediatric health care is available in the U.S., access is often limited for those not enrolled in insurance programs such as Medicaid, prompting some families to seek care across the border where they can find support.
Kornreich noted that Hospital Infantil is not just for the underserved population, and said it delivers a level of care that rivals major pediatric institutions, such as Rady Children’s Hospital, ensuring that all children receive top-tier treatment from highly trained specialists.
The multidisciplinary hospital supports children with complex needs such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and autism, offering a continuum of services that promote not just physical healing but also developmental progress and dignity. Specialized clinics for these conditions, known as the Jornada, offer free services such as wheelchair fittings throughout the year. And Hospital Infantil is perhaps most recognized for its three pediatric operating rooms that offer overnight care only when necessary for post-surgical recovery.
“The hospital does superb pediatric surgery with pediatric nurses, pediatric anesthesiology, an entire system of three operating rooms entirely devoted to not just the surgical part of it, but the follow-up,” Kornreich said.
One of the most critical areas of need is surgical care, which remains the hospital’s most heavily subsidized program. While Hospital Infantil offers high-quality procedures at a fraction of U.S. costs, affordability remains out of reach for many families.
About 68% of Hospital Infantil patients come from economically disadvantaged families, who are able to cover only part of their medical costs. Of those, roughly 25% cannot afford to pay anything at all, according to FCC’s website.
To ensure that no child is denied care, the hospital created the P.A.P.I. (Programa de Apoyo a Pacientes Infantiles) fund, which helps cover medical expenses for families. Roughly 40% of this funding is provided by the FCC, while other support comes from Mexican fundraising efforts, a Tijuana telethon and cross-border donations.
As a pediatrician, Kornreich has seen firsthand the universal spirit of children and the compassion that defines Hospital Infantil.
“I’ve traveled widely and kids all over the world are the same,” he said. “They are cute, bubbly and happy. They all exceed the ability to deal with their difficult circumstances.”
Kornreich said Hospital Infantil’s caregivers, both volunteers and staff, create a warm, nurturing environment, often filled with teddy bears, comforting hugs and a motherly touch that helps children feel safe and comfortable.
“You see lots of smiles,” Kornreich said.
To learn more about the FCC or make a donation, go to usfcc.org.
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