Virgen M. Quiñones-Fernandini, MD

Dr. Virgen M. Quiñones-Fernandini serves as Senior Medical Leader at Westside Children’s Therapy. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Ponce Health Sciences University and an Executive Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota. She completed residency training in General Psychiatry, followed by fellowships in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. She is board certified in Adult Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. In addition to her medical training, Dr. Quiñones-Fernandini holds Montessori certifications in Assistant to Infancy (0–3 years) and Early Childhood (3–6 years), as well as credentials as a Registered Yoga Teacher and Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher.

With more than 20 years of clinical, academic, and healthcare leadership experience, Dr. Quiñones-Fernandini has dedicated over 18 years to caring for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Throughout her career, she has served in numerous leadership roles within academic medicine, including Medical Director of the PHSU Wellness Center, Associate Program Director for Adult Psychiatry and the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, Vice Chair of Clinical Services, and Clerkship Director at Ponce Health Sciences University. Her work has centered on comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, interdisciplinary collaboration, physician education, quality improvement, and expanding access to evidence-based, family-centered behavioral health services.

Dr. Quiñones-Fernandini specializes in autism spectrum disorder, child and adolescent psychiatry, ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma and PTSD, neurodevelopmental disorders, addiction medicine, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and integrated behavioral health. She is passionate about partnering with families, empowering caregivers through education, and delivering compassionate, collaborative care that supports each child’s unique strengths and needs.

Outside of work, Dr. Quiñones-Fernandini enjoys spending time with her husband, four daughters, and extended family. She also enjoys practicing yoga and meditation, crocheting, exploring nature, and traveling. A lifelong learner, she is passionate about mentoring healthcare professionals, fostering leadership development, and expanding access to compassionate, evidence-based care for children and families.