Monica L. Plesa, MD
Accepting new patients

Monica L. Plesa, MD

(she/her)
  • Family Medicine
5.0
292 ratings
224 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

Locations

Location default
Santa Monica

Ocean Park Family Medicine

Family Medicine| Travel Medicine| Geriatric Medicine
+1 more specialty
Location Details

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 healthcare 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, 2026
  • 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.
292 total ratings | 224 reviews
5.0
Dr Plesa is an exemplary physician and we couldn’t be more grateful to be under her expert care.
5.0
Dr Plesa is a wonderful doctor. She listens, explains everything, and is so very kind and compassionate. I am so grateful that she is my physician.
5.0
She is very good at listening and very empathetic, Dr. Plesa is also great at presenting different options to care for the condition. Under her care I felt empowered and trusting. Thank you to her for being a provider with excellent medical and people skills.
5.0
THE SWEET DOCTOR I HAVE SHE IS VERY SWEET NICE DOCTOR.
5.0
Dr. Plesa is is an excellent doctor! She made me feel so comfortable and really listened to all my concerns.
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