Strong Leaders Grow Stong Companies

With more than a century of combined experience in the managed health care industry, the New West Physicians Management executive leadership team offers an impressive depth of knowledge and strategic ability focused on the company’s vision “to change the face of health care delivery for all.”

This diverse mix of physician executives and veteran industry professionals is guiding New West Physicians through an unprecedented period of growth – a feat made all the more remarkable considering the challenges facing the industry today.

Learn more about the executive leadership team at New West Physicians:

Scott Clemens, M.D.,
President & Chief Medical Officer

President & Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Scott Clemens is an experienced physician leader and practicing internist. Dr. Clemens began his career as a hospitalist but has found that outpatient primary is his true calling to affect Quadruple Aim outcomes. He has been with New West Physicians since 2007 and has held multiple leadership positions with broad medical management responsibilities. Dr. Clemens was made Chief Medical Officer and President of New West Physicians in 2020.

Melissa A Helms, M.D.,
Chief Health Information Officer
Regional Chief Health Information Officer for Optum Care in Colorado

Chief Health Information Officer
Regional Chief Health Information Officer for Optum Care in Colorado

Dr. Helms leads the development of the clinical IT strategy for New West Physicians and Optum Colorado and supports clinical operations through the selection, design, and implementation of health information systems to enable the delivery of value-based patient care. In addition, Dr. Helms has been a practicing internal medicine physician since 2009.

Maura McHugh, RN, MSN.,
Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

As chief operating officer, Maura leads the New West Physicians operations team, managing outpatient practices and centralized functions of the Medical Staff Office, including referrals and the document support team. In this role, Maura is able to connect with staff, providers, and patients on a daily basis, doing what it takes to improve the New West processes and the patient experience.

Maura has worked in health care since 1998, after earning a bachelor’s degree in registered nursing from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.

She received a master’s degree in nursing leadership management from Regis University in 2008. Before coming to New West Physicians in 2016, Maura held several nursing and leadership roles at hospital systems in Denver.

Outside of work, Maura likes to be outdoors, hiking in the Colorado mountains.

Vicki Espinoza,
Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Vicki Espinoza joined New West Physicians in 2019, bringing 30 years of health care industry experience. She has led high-performance teams in finance, accounting, treasury, billing/eligibility, and human resources for the medical group, third-party administration, and health plan organizations. She graduated from the University of Denver with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Summa Cum Laude, and she holds an Inactive Status CPA license.