María Fuentes Caballero

María has always identified with the vision of a humanistic medicine based on the philosophy of classical Hippocratic naturism, vital hygiene -self-management of health- and public and preventive health with a clear social projection. Over time and with experience, she has developed her own approach to holistic health. As a woman, she has always been more sensitive to all matters concerning women's health and maternal and child health, striving to contribute in this area with her knowledge and research inspired by her holistic, preventive, and humanistic vision. She has always been committed beyond her care work, in social projects and collectives throughout the Spanish State.

A Life Dedicated to Service

The Foundation is inspired by the experiences of its collective, beginning with the trajectory of its founder, Dr. María Fuentes Caballero, with more than 45 years dedicated to humanistic medicine, naturopathic and holistic, always with a social, preventive approach and special attention to women's and maternal and child health.

What María has achieved in 45 years

+500 families cared for.

in pregnancy, childbirth, and birth

10 associations founded

Professional associations and Cooperative and health work centers

+25,000 people

cared for directly through medical consultation, health and/or sexuality workshops, and conferences.

Proyectos iniciados por María

la fundación y gestión del Centro de Salud Artemisa (2002-present),
la fundación y el diseño de la Escuela libre de salud holística y materno-infantil Consuelo Ruiz (2006-2010)
the creation of the Women’s Health Prevention and Promotion Program, with a gender perspective, for the Health and Gender Department of the City Council of Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz (1994–2002)
the foundation of the Spanish professional association NACER EN CASA (1988–present).

As well as of various groups of health and family professionals and users.

The number of people who have benefited from this work can be estimated in the tens of thousands, first in Catalonia, then in Andalusia, and across the rest of the country.

Biography

Birth: January 1957, Bedmar (Jaén).
Education: Medicine and Surgery at the Central University of Barcelona; specializations in France and in the areas of family, community, and maternal and child health.

Main Projects

Artemisa Health Center (2003–present, Arcos de la Frontera).
Consuelo Ruiz Free School of Holistic and Maternal-Child Health (2006–2010).
Women and Health Program with a gender perspective (1994–2002, Jerez de la Frontera).
Association BIRTH AT HOME (1988–2024).
Cooperativa Tascó y Titania, dones per la salut (...women for health) (1985–2024).
Creation of various health and family collectives.

Healthcare work

In Barcelona (Titania, dones per la salut): she assisted over 500 families through pregnancy, birth, and parenting processes.
In Andalusia (Artemisa, Arcos): care for over 5,000 individuals and families with a holistic approach.
Organization of therapeutic stays in France and at the La Plana Foundation.

Teaching and outreach work

Community health workshops in peripheral neighborhoods of Barcelona (impact on ~1000 women).
Lectures at universities and high schools (~5000 people).
In Andalusia: training in preventive, psychosexual, and affective health (impact on ~6000 people).
Training for over 700 healthcare and education professionals across Spain.
Participation in over 50 press, radio, and TV interviews, and in 80 national and international
congresses and conferences.

Publications and intellectual production

Articles: +50 on health and social development.
Own books: 9 main ones (multiple editions, with wide reach), including Nosotras. La salud. Desde el sur del siglo XXI and Gestación, nacimiento y crianza desde el sur (2021).
Co-author: 6 collective works.
Forewords: 3 books by other authors.
Translations: 2 medical works into Spanish.
Research: 3 studies on menopause, child health, and holistic therapies.

Social Impact

Creation of breastfeeding and women's health support groups, promoting prevention, self-management, and demedicalization.
Work recognized in Catalonia, Andalusia and the rest of Spain, with impact in Latin America and Europe.
Active member of the network of women healthcare professionals Redcaps and the editorial committee of the journal Mujeres y Salud.

In summary, Dr. María Fuentes Caballero has been a pioneer in holistic and community medicine, combining medical care, research, teaching, and social activism, with a legacy that has directly benefited tens of thousands of people and indirectly hundreds of thousands more through publications, media, and collectives. She maintains a Blog with a wealth of materials for consultation and guidance, and a page on Facebook.

Get to Know Maria's Life Work

Take a look at some of the seminars and conferences given by María. You can turn on YouTube subtitles and have them translated automatically.

Books

María Fuentes Caballero is a translator and writer of various works in Spanish and Portuguese, with a recent publication in Brazil. She is the author of four original books.