Who We Are – Health Center
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Outpatient Center (MLK OPC) plays an essential role in the health and well-being of residents in South Los Angeles and surrounding communities. High-quality primary and specialty care services are complemented by wellness and prevention programs for the family. The Outpatient Center is the centerpiece of a new medical campus that offers integrated outpatient, inpatient, and mental health services. Clinic leaders and staff are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care that improves the health of patients and their families. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Outpatient Center is operated by the Health Services, and is part of the Los Angeles County Ambulatory Care Network (ACN).
Michael Mills, MHA Director
Michael Mills serves as the Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Group, which includes the Martin Luther King, Jr. Outpatient Center. He directs the operations of primary care, specialty care and urgent care services. Prior to this role, Mr. Mills served as the Director of the Metro Health Care Group (MHCG), where he oversaw the H. Claude Hudson Comprehensive Health Center and the DHS Adult Medicine Clinic at Curtis Tucker Health Center. Mr. Mills also previously led the the operations of the LA General Medical Center Violence Intervention Program (VIP). In that role, he planned, organized, and directed daily operations of the VIP, which included the Center for the Vulnerable Child, the Sexual Assault Center, the Elder Dependent Adult Abuse Program, Community-Based Assessment and Treatment Center, LA General East San Gabriel Valley Satellite Medical Hub, and the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center. Mr. Mills also served as the Assistant Administrator for Probation Health Services with Health Services. Mr. Mills has dedicated his career to helping at-risk children and underserved populations in Los Angeles County to access high quality health care. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chapman College and a Master of Health Administration from the University of Southern California.
Ellen Rothman, M.D. Medical Director
Ellen Rothman oversees the delivery of clinical services at MLK Jr Healthcare Group in her role as Medical Director. Dr. Rothman brings deep commitment to improving health outcomes in South Los Angeles. Prior to joining LA County Department of Health Services in 2012, Dr. Rothman served as the medical director at St. John’s Well Child and Family Center, a Community Partner clinic operating in South Los Angeles and Compton. Dr. Rothman completed her medical training at Harvard and her pediatric residency at the Boston Children’s Hospital. After completing her residency in 2001, she worked for the Indian Health Service where she spent 6 years in a very remote corner of the Navajo Nation in Arizona. She is thrilled to be part of the dynamic MLK Team!
Kimberly Thomas, RN, Interim Nursing Director
Kimberly Thomas brings more than 25 years of experience to her role as Interim Nursing Director at MLK Jr Healthcare Group. Ms. Thomas has spent her career in LA County Health Services, beginning at King-Drew Medical Center in 1994. She supported MLK in its transition to become an Ambulatory Care Center in 2007 and then transitioned to the Juvenile Court Health System in 2012. She returned to MLK in 2014 to serve as the nurse manager for the Ambulatory Surgery Center. She stepped into the interim nursing director role in 2024. She has dedicated her career to serving the patients of MLK.
Louis Armstead III, MA, Lead Administrator
Louis Armstead III serves as Lead Administrator of Operations for Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Group. Prior to his appointment, he served as Assistant Administrator for the San Fernando Valley Health Center Group and Administrator for Ancillary Services for the Ambulatory Care Network. He brings a wide range of experience in operations supporting a variety of disciplines including Radiology, LAB, Pharmacy, Facilities, Rehabilitation Services, and Security. Mr. Armstead is an alumnus of the Radiography Program at Charles Drew University of Medicine & Science. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Arkansas State University. He is passionate about delivering quality service to our DHS patients.