Leadership Team & Medical Providers

Ellaine Ballard is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the State of Iowa, a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board of Certified Counselors. Ellaine has 12 years of experience in the behavioral health field and has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Ellaine graduated from Drake University with a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has worked in various settings, including group homes, community-based, in-home, schools, and outpatient offices. Ellaine worked for 5 years with Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACT) serving adults with chronic mental health diagnoses of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Major depressive disorder. Ellaine began working at UCS Healthcare in 2021 as a mental health counselor, and clinical supervisor. Ellaine has obtained her Basic 1 (10-hour) training for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Ellaine is a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) trained facilitator, an experienced instructor for the Children in the Middle class for divorcing/separating parents, and a trainer for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) through Living Works. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband and her two Great Danes.

Frank Filippelli, DO, PhD, serves as the medical director at UCS Healthcare. He is a native of Des Moines, Iowa, and attended Lincoln High School and the University of Iowa. Dr. Filippelli received his undergraduate degree in Pharmacy and then completed his Master’s and PhD in Medicinal Chemistry at the UI College of Pharmacy. He has worked as a pharmacist in various Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids pharmacies. Dr. Filippelli received post-graduate training at the Dalton Research Center at the University of Missouri, Columbia. After his post-doctoral studies, he pursued an academic career at Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences from January 1986 through May 1995. There, he was recognized by the Iowa Pharmacy Association and participated in the Young Pharmacist’s Leadership Conference. After leaving Drake, Dr. Filippelli attended medical school at Des Moines University, graduating in June 1999, and then completed his residency in Family Medicine in 2002.

Imes completed her undergraduate degree at Des Moines Area Community College and worked as a registered nurse for 13 years before completing her masters degree in nursing at Frontier Nursing University in 2023.

Andrea is a self-proclaimed Army brat who has lived in many different places, including South Dakota, The Netherlands, and California. While not an Iowa native, she happily calls Des Moines home. In her free time, she enjoys lifting weights, cooking, cycling, gardening, spending time in nature, and spending time with family and friends.

Mollie received her BSN from St. Ambrose University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Iowa. She practices primary care and MAT services at UCS. In the MAT program, she offers a patient-centered approach to supporting individuals in their recovery process. In her primary care practice, she enjoys servicing individuals throughout their lifespan, from newborn through geriatric, with a specific focus on chronic disease management and treatment of hepatitis C.

When she is not in the clinic, she can be found hanging out with her two children, drinking coffee, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Dr. Joshua Tessier, DO is a family medicine specialist in West Des Moines, IA. He graduated from Des Moines University in 2008. He is affiliated with multiple medical facilities including Mercyone, Des Moines Medical Center and St. Anthony Regional Hospital. Dr. Tessier is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments at UCS Healthcare. Dr. Tessier is board certified in Addiction Medicine.