Helen DuPlessis, M.D, M.P.H., is an accomplished health care administrator with more than 20 years of leadership experience in maternal and child health management, program and policy development, public health and managed care. 

She was most recently a pediatrician and senior advisor at The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities, where she focused on quality improvement, health system reform and childhood development.

Previously, DuPlessis was chief medical officer of L.A. Care Health Plan, where she built its quality improvement program, created new insurance products for children and provided guidance to the initial state quality approach. She also served as Community Pediatrics and Children’s Medical Services administrator in the Los Angeles County Department of Health, and directed Student Medical Services for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

She has served on numerous local, state, and national committees and boards including non-profit school health partnerships (LA Trust for Children’s Health), professional organizations (AAP, NASBHC, APHA), quality improvement organizations (NCQA, NICHQ, Center for Healthcare Strategies, various State committees), the National Children’s Study National Advisory Committees, and health programs (CalKids, LA Urban League Healthy Neighborhood Collaborative).

DuPlessis received her master of public health degree from UCLA, doctor of medicine degree from University of California San Francisco and bachelor’s degree from University of Southern California. She retired from practicing, supervising and teaching at Harbor UCLA Medical Center in September 2017.