In medical school, Dr. DeSanto was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, which is a community of trainees, physicians, and other leaders who have been recognized for their compassionate care.
Dr. Marisa DeSanto
Dr. DeSanto is passionate about fostering community and empowering families in their health and well-being. With a strong focus on healthy lifestyle, physical activity, and adolescent care, she strives to provide compassionate, evidence-based care. She is a fierce advocate for her patients and the pediatric population.
About Dr. Marisa DeSanto
Education
Dr. DeSanto completed her medical school education at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, which provided a rigorous medical education with an emphasis on understanding the whole person and preventative care. She completed her Pediatrics Residency at University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY. Following residency, she spent one year in an Academic Pediatrics Fellowship in Rochester, NY, which focused on community advocacy, research, and teaching medical trainees. read more
Leadership
Dr. DeSanto currently holds a national leadership role in the American Academy of Pediatrics, with a specific focus on medical trainees and public health advocacy. This experience has allowed her to work with medical trainees across the country and contribute to shaping the future of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Outside of this, she has a strong history of advocacy for children’s health care, through visiting legislators and working with community organizations on local, state, and federal issues. read more
Experience
Training in a high-volume and high-acuity hospital in Rochester, NY, Dr. DeSanto has experience with routine well child care to complex care pediatrics. During her additional fellowship training, she worked in a hospital-based outpatient pediatric clinic serving a diverse patient population. Currently, she provides routine well-child care, acute illness visits, developmental screenings, and routine vaccinations. She emphasizes providing adolescent contraceptive care and is trained to place nexplanon contraceptives. read more
Awards
Interests
Outside of the office, Dr. DeSanto enjoys the creative arts and staying physically active, through wheel ceramics, painting, film photography, distance running, and yoga. She’s a frequent traveler and loves to learn about the world through experiencing different places and cultures.
Philosophy
Dr. DeSanto believes that medical care should focus on the ‘whole person’, understanding the social, emotional, and physical aspects of children and how this relates to their overall health. She emphasizes healthy lifestyle and preventative medicine in her practice, with a goal of long term health and prevention of disease. She strives to create a long-term, compassionate partnership with families that makes them feel in control of their health care.
Dr. DeSanto practices whole-person pediatric care, focusing on physical, emotional, and social well-being to support long-term health and disease prevention.
Dr. DeSanto earned her medical degree from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Pediatrics Residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Yes, Dr. DeSanto specializes in adolescent care and is trained to provide contraceptive services, including Nexplanon placement.
Dr. DeSanto cares for a diverse pediatric population, from newborns to adolescents, offering well-child visits, vaccinations, developmental screenings, and acute illness care.
Yes, she holds a national leadership role in the American Academy of Pediatrics, focusing on trainee education and public health advocacy.
Dr. DeSanto is known for compassionate, evidence-based care and a strong emphasis on prevention, healthy lifestyles, and empowering families.
Yes, she trained in a high-acuity hospital and has experience managing both routine and complex pediatric cases in outpatient and hospital settings.
She enjoys creative arts like ceramics and photography, stays active through yoga and running, and loves to travel and explore new cultures.
Dr. DeSanto was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society for her commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.
She strives to form long-term, collaborative partnerships with families, empowering them to take an active role in their child’s health journey.
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