Kelly Pfeifer, MD, is deputy director of mental health and substance use disorder services for the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Prior to her appointment at DHCS, Kelly was director of CHCF’s High-Value Care team, which supports policies and care models that align with patient preferences, are proven effective, and are affordable. She led CHCF’s efforts in maternity care, end-of-life care, and the care of populations with complex behavioral health and medical conditions. Kelly was named the 2017 recipient of the Beverlee A. Myers Award by the California Department of Public Health for her work addressing the opioid epidemic. It is the agency’s highest annual award given to an individual exhibiting outstanding leadership in public health.

Prior to joining CHCF, Kelly served as chief medical officer for the San Francisco Health Plan — a managed Medicaid health plan — and medical director and family physician at Petaluma Health Center. She also served as the medical director for access for Redwood Community Health Coalition, a network of community clinics in four North Bay counties. She continues to practice family medicine. Kelly received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Oberlin College and a medical doctorate from the Medical College of Pennsylvania. She trained in family medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, program at Sutter Santa Rosa.

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