Monica L. Plesa, MD
Accepting new patients

Monica L. Plesa, MD

(she/her)
  • Family Medicine
5.0
251 ratings
169 reviews
Star ratings are displayed only for those physicians who participate in UCLA Health’s patient experience survey program and have received a minimum of 30 survey responses.
Ocean Park Family Medicine |
2701 Ocean Park Boulevard, Suite 130 Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-450-1200
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About

Dr. Monica Plesa is a board-certified family physician and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians who provides comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages. Her clinical interests include women's health and menopause care, office-based procedures, and caring for entire families from infants to geriatrics.

She earned her medical degree at the Albany Medical College and completed her family medicine residency at UCLA, where she also completed a fellowship in medical education. Dr. Plesa spent the first 13 years of her career teaching residents and medical students and continues to be passionate about medical education. Outside of work, she can be found spending time with her friends and family, especially her two young daughters, cooking and playing capoeira. 

Languages

English, Spanish

Education

Medical Board Certification

Family Medicine, American Board of Family Medicine, 2012

Fellowship

Family Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine: Family Medicine, 2015

Residency

Family Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine: Family Medicine, 2012

Internship

Family Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine: Family Medicine, 2010

Degree

MD, Albany Medical Center, 2009

Recognitions

  • Super Doctors® Southern California Rising Stars 2019

Locations

Hospital Affiliations

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Areas of Focus

Videos

Meet Monica L. Plesa, MD
"I think I have a cold - can you prescribe antibiotics to help me get over the symptoms?" | Antibiotics and Colds
"What can I do for lower back pain?" | Back Pain

Research

Publications

  1. Sur DKC, Plesa ML. Chronic Nonallergic Rhinitis. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Aug 1;98(3):171-176. PMID: 30215894.
  2. Lee, D.T., Plesa, M.L. (2017). Anemia. In: Paulman, P., Taylor, R., Paulman, A., Nasir, L. (eds) Family Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04414-9_132
  3. Sur DK, Plesa ML. Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Dec 1;92(11):985-92. PMID: 26760413.

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Centivo
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Health Net of California
  • Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
  • Medicare Advantage
  • MultiPlan
  • UFCM Health System
  • Prime Health Services
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • TRICARE
  • UnitedHealthcare

The list of health care plans above may not be comprehensive and could change. 
Please contact your benefits coordinator or health insurance company directly to verify coverage.

Visit our health insurance information page for more details.

Recognitions

  • Super Doctors® Southern California Rising Stars 2019

Links

Reviews

Overall rating: 5.0
Star ratings are displayed only for those physicians who participate in UCLA Health’s patient experience survey program and have received a minimum of 30 survey responses.
251 total ratings | 169 reviews
5.0
Wonderful experience. Dr. Plesa was so nice she spoke to me in my language. Gracias UCLA por tener Doctores bilingües.
5.0
She really took the time to listen to me and was willing to run tests that I wanted as well as recommending additional tests. I felt very seen and taken care of for the first time in a long time from a healthcare professional.
5.0
Doc and nurses were great and helpful! Super quick
5.0
Thoroughly, knowledgeable. Makes going to the doctor a pleasant experience
5.0
She really listened and wanted to help. She was very encouraging and felt real. She was able to relate and was able to use humor to help me feel at ease.
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