Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Engelen Do
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Greetings! I’m Dr. Robert Engelen, a dedicated Physician with a passion for sports medicine, minimally invasive interventions, and cutting-edge approaches to healthcare.
Raised in Iowa, I embarked on a journey in healthcare that led me to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Iowa State University. Following my deep-rooted interest in healing, I pursued a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.
My commitment to service led me to serve as a Lieutenant in the Navy, where I operated as the medical officer for 1st Battalion, 6th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, including a deployment to Afghanistan. I’m honored to have received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal-Meritorious and the Combat Action Ribbon-Commendation for my medical duties during combat operations.
Transitioning from military service, I delved into Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, completing my residency at the University of Utah. My passion for innovation in healthcare led me to specialize in Sports Medicine, where I explore new approaches utilizing technology and regenerative medicine.
I’ve had the privilege of serving as the Team Physician for the Utah Royals and as the Assistant Team Physician for Real Salt Lake, Solitude Ski Resort, Westminister College Athletics, along with providing medical care for several local high schools. My focus on leveraging technology and regenerative medicine in sports healthcare allows me to provide cutting-edge treatments and optimize athlete performance and recovery.
When not in the clinic or on the field, I cherish moments outdoors with my wife and three children. You might catch me coaching football and lacrosse, as my kids are actively involved in these sports. Skiing, mountain biking, and jujitsu fuel my passions, offering balance and fulfillment beyond my medical endeavors.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes, life is never without obstacles or challenges. It is my belief that challenges or obstacles in life lead to growth. That growth is important for helping us become who we are meant to be and finding our true purpose in life. I would not claim that my obstacles have been any more challenging than the typical person. I am blessed to have had many great mentors who have led me to my current state and assisted me in my growth. I think one of the biggest challenges I’ve undergone was my deployment to Afghanistan while serving in the Navy in support of USMC Infantry. This was the last place that I thought I would find myself after going to medical school. Most outside observers would probably think that as a Physician, I would have spent most of my time located a base in a “clinic”. This was not the case. Instead, I spent most of my nights under the stars in a small village in southern Afghanistan. I had the special opportunity to be in the field with my Marines in combat. I felt that the closer I was to the action, the more useful I would be to my Marine Corps brothers. I spent the majority of my days “outside the wire” ready to help with any medical issues. There were many nights I spent wondering how I landed in such an austere place. This was an experience that fostered an immense appreciation for our young warriors in combat and for the wonderful freedoms that we all have living in the US.
As you know, we’re big fans of Engelen Sports and Orthobiologics. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My clinical practice is Engelen Sports and Orthobiologics. I am a Sports Medicine Physician who specializes in non-operative Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine. I have been practicing in Salt Lake City since 2016 after completing my sports medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. My practice consists of treating athletes of all ages with musculoskeletal injuries or ongoing pain related to injuries. I treat injuries to joints, tendons, muscles, discs including both acute and chronic issues.
My primary goal is to educate patients on their non-operative options to assist them with healing their injury and getting back to an active life. I started Engelen Sports and Orthobiologics because I wanted the opportunity to spend more time with my patients. Standard clinical practice has really pushed many physicians into “volume medicine” where the goal is to see as many patients in as short a time as possible. Practicing in this sort of setting can be soul sucking and is not great patient care. I want to connect with my patients and find the best path or solution to their particular injury or condition. Additionally, I wanted to explore alternative solutions to injuries utilizing regenerative medicine and minimally invasive non-surgical options.
My practice offers a variety of minimally invasive non-operative options including diagnostic ultrasound, ultrasound guided joint or tendon injections, orthobiologic injections (PRP, BMAC, MFAT), Tenex needle tenotomy, Fluoroscopic guided spine injections, radiofrequency ablation, Robotic M7 MLS Class IV Therapy Laser, and Sprint peripheral nerve stimulator.
My mission is to cultivate longevity and the limitless pursuit of optimal function. To achieve this, I approach each patient’s needs with enthusiasm, expertise, collaboration, professionalism, dedication, consistency, and relentless determination. With a patient-centered approach, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to excellence, we strive to deliver personalized treatment plans tailored to each individual’s unique circumstances.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself a risk taker but I do feel that I have developed a growth mindset over the last few years. I took a pretty conventional path for many years in schooling and in medicine. I moved stepwise through high school, college, medical school, residency, fellowship. Finally, I landed in a medical practice and thought, well this is it, now I have arrived. After practicing for several years, my medical practice became sort of stagnant. I found that I stopped growing as a physician and stopped challenging myself. I became frustrated with my brief patient interactions and frustrated when they didn’t respond to conventional treatments. I was tired of being an employee of a large medical group. They weren’t really concerned with innovation or improving patient care. I sort of hit a breaking point and decided that I needed to move in a different direction. The thought of starting my own practice was incredibly overwhelming and kind of scary. I knew there were risks that affected not only myself but also my family. I also felt my own inner critic and the perceived criticism of the medical community. Many of the regenerative medicine practices aren’t necessarily considered the standard. I felt that I may be ostracized by looking outside the box and offering different solutions. This is something that challenges me to this day. So I guess my big risk, was transitioning away from a standard employed medical practice. Thankfully, I have found a soft landing with Comprehensive Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. This has allowed me a hybrid practice setting and allowed be to get “Engelen Sports and Orthobiologics” started. I am blessed to have great Orthopedic partners and an amazing staff who work hard to keep things moving in the right direction.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://engelenortho.com/
- Instagram: dr.engelen
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/Ct8adNzxDbY