Helen DuPlessis, MD
Principal
Health Management Associates
Los Angeles, CA
[javascript protected email address]
(213) 314-9090
Dr. Helen DuPlessis is an accomplished physician executive who brings extensive leadership experience and a wealth of in-depth knowledge about public sector health programs to HMA.
She has a rich history of involvement in healthcare administration for a variety of organizations, expertise in program and policy development, practice transformation, public health, maternal, and child health policy, community systems development, performance improvement, and managed care.
Prior to joining HMA, Dr. DuPlessis served as the chief medical officer with St. John’s Well Child and Family Center where she provided executive management for integrated medical, behavioral, dental and pharmacy services in a large network of Federally Qualified Health Centers. She was responsible for building and upgrading key elements of the organizational infrastructure and clinical services, strategic business expansion, Patient Centered Medical Home certification, electronic health records implementation, clinical work force recruitment, training and development, and performance improvement.
Other notable professional experiences include her work as senior advisor to the UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities where she provided leadership, research, program development support, counsel and representation to local, state and national efforts, and community level systems transformation. She also trained and mentored students in various disciplines and educational levels.
Dr. DuPlessis was the chief medical officer at LA Care during the initial rollout of Medi-Cal managed care in California and served as director of Student Medical Services for the LA Unified School District.
With a proven track record in understanding and implementing innovative and effective health programs and performance improvement activities, she has served as an advocate of community capacity-building, staff and professional development.
Dr. DuPlessis earned her Master of Public Health degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of California, San Francisco. She also has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California.