Biography

Both his surgical internship and orthopaedic residency training were completed at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, where he was also appointed clinical instructor, as well as team physician for the University of Illinois Athletic Department.

During his residency training, Dr. Heligman received specialized training in a variety of arthritic disease treatments, including hip and knee joint replacement and arthroscopic procedures. He also received one year of specialized pediatric training at the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children in Chicago.

Dr. Heligman has received specialized training in minimally invasive total joint replacement of the hip and knee and offers the procedure to his patients routinely.

Dr. Heligman is the author of several published articles on orthopaedic treatments and research. In 1987, he received the Elven J. Berkheiser award for best original research work in the field of orthopaedic surgery.

Moving to Fort Myers in 1987, he joined with Dr. Fifer to form the Institute for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Dr. Heligman now specializes in adult reconstructive surgery including hip, knee, and shoulder replacements, shoulder rotator cuff surgery, and arthroscopy of the knee, shoulder, and ankle. Dr. Heligman has received specialized training in minimally invasive total joint replacement of the hip and knee and offers the procedure to his patients routinely.

Dr. Heligman is board-certified by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Florida Medical Society, the Lee County Medical Society, and the American Medical Society. Additionally, he has served on the board of directors at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center and is a past president of the Jewish Federation of Lee County.

A Detroit native, Dr. Heligman is married and has two sons and a daughter. He enjoys boating, scuba, and outdoor recreational sports.