Physician

• Bachelor of Arts: Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA
• Doctor of Medicine: University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
• Rotating Internship: Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA
• Orthopaedic Surgery Residency: The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
• Sports Medicine Fellowship: Orthopaedic and Fracture Clinic, Eugene, OR
• Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellowship: Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA

As a board certified orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Helpenstell specializes in Adult Reconstruction, Total Hip Replacements, Total Knee Replacements, and Knee Arthroscopy.

Dr. Helpenstell attended Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. During his time at Ginnell College, Dr. Helpenstell was a 5-Time All-American Diver. He received his Medical Degree from the University Of Washington School Of Medicine and was certified as a Diplomat with the National Board of Medical Examiners. His internship was spent at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, Washington and his residency at University of New Mexico Hospitals in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dr. Helpenstell completed two fellowships, one in sports medicine at the Orthopaedic and Fracture Clinic in Eugene, Oregon and the second, a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at Harborview Medical Center / University Hospital, Seattle, Washington.

Dr. Helpenstell received certification from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in 1994 and practiced as an orthopaedic surgeon at Orthopedic Associates, Inc. PS in Seattle and at Memorial Clinic in Olympia prior to joining Olympia Orthopaedic Associates in July of 2001.

Dr. Helpenstell has lived and worked in Olympia since 1994. He enjoys the outdoors and spends most of his time running, biking, swimming, kayaking, mountain climbing, skiing and doing triathlons.