Mel D. Helgeson, M.D.

Dr. Mel Helgeson graduated from the United States Military Academy — West Point, Medical College of Wisconsin, Walter Reed Orthopedic Surgery Residency, and Thomas Jefferson University/Rothman Spine Fellowship, before returning to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in 2011 as an academic orthopedic spine surgeon. In 2024, he retired from the Army after over 20 years of service and joined Mayo Clinic. His clinical practice focuses on degenerative and traumatic conditions of the spine. His research interests include spine clinical outcomes and spinal biomechanics.

Dr. Helgeson served as primary Orthopedic Consultant to the White House from 2016-2024, Walter Reed Director for Surgery from 2021-2023, Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences from 2020-2024, and Interim Walter Reed Chief of Staff in 2022. He also serves as a consultant to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He previously served as the Chair of the Department of Orthopedics and Chief of the Spine Service at WRNMMC. He has deployed twice to Afghanistan. Awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Order of Military Medical Merit.