Monica L. Plesa, MD
Accepting new patients

Monica L. Plesa, MD

(she/her)
  • Family Medicine
5.0
285 ratings
202 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.
285 total ratings | 202 reviews
5.0
Positive experience!!!
5.0
Skilled listener. Knowledgeable. Best family doctor we've ever had.
5.0
Dr. Plesa is very knowledgeable, helpful, kind, and caring. She listens to all of my concerns and thoughtfully addresses every one of them. I am so grateful for her help!
5.0
Dr Monica Plesa is always kind and always answers my questions and she does not rush her patients. I feel confident with Dr Plesa for her care for my mom. Thank you Dr Plesa for your care for my mom and late dad for so many years. You���re a wonderful physician and we love you. :)
5.0
Dr Plesa is a great listener a was very thorough and went over my chart with me to discuss my appointments and medications... She is such a good listener and it feels like a friend is there to help me understand the course of treatment... Time is of the essence...
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