Erika Helgerson, DO

“I care for my patients the way I would want my family members cared for and thrive on developing deep, long-lasting relationships with my patients”

Length of time at OMC:I started at OMC in 2013. Before medical school I researched familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a biochemistry lab at the University of Minnesota. I then spent a year working in a gastroenterology clinic.

Why do you like working at OMC?At OMC, we provide great quality health care that is personalized and compassionate. We have a dedicated staff that goes above and beyond to ensure our community remains healthy. It warms my heart to be part of such a unique organization.

What is your philosophy of care?

I want my patients to be healthy and informed. I encourage them to come in for regular wellness visits so that we can be proactive in disease prevention rather than reactive when diseases develop. I also encourage my patients to be active participants in making decisions about their medical care. If safe and reasonable, I prefer to initially treat medical problems with healthy lifestyle changes focusing on sleep, exercise, diet and mental health.

I care for my patients the way I would want my family members cared for. I thrive on developing deep, long-lasting relationships.

Medicine is constantly evolving, as are the lives of my patients. I continuously learn from traditional sources like journals and conferences, but also by listening to my patients share their life experiences. It is truly an honor to care for the people of this community.

What do you like to do when you’re not at OMC?I live on 10 acres in Taylors Falls, MN, with my husband and two daughters. We are aspiring homesteaders. We also love hiking, biking and travelling.

Fun Fact about me:I love adventure. I have paraglided in India, climbed Huayna Picchu in Peru and learned to surf on the beaches of Ecuador.