- ABOUT ME
- AREAS OF FOCUS
- EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP
- LOCATIONS & HOSPITALS
- NEWS & PUBLICATIONS
I deeply enjoy getting to know each patient and working together to find the treatment option that is right for her.
Dr. Heliker is a fellowship-trained, board-certified urogynecologist who offers conservative options, clinic procedures, and surgeries (robotic, vaginal, and laparoscopic) for the treatment of pelvic floor disorders. She is passionate about advocating for women and restoring quality of life—allowing women to live without the worry and discomfort that often arises from incontinence and prolapse.
When caring for patients, she often thinks of Sir William Osler’s quote: “A good physician treats the disease but a great physician treats the patient who has the disease.” She believes the work done in Urogynecology can transform the day-to-day lives of patients, and she is grateful to be part of this field.
In addition to pelvic floor disorders, she has particular expertise in postpartum neuromuscular recovery, including third- and fourth-degree lacerations. Her work has led to several articles and chapters on childbirth injury. She also has a strong interest in global health with volunteer work in Zambia, Swaziland, and most recently Rwanda.
Dr. Heliker loves the outdoors and the natural beauty in Portland. Bhumy means ‘the soil of the Earth’ in Sanskrit, so the strong environmental backbone of Portland is a perfect match for her. Outside of work, Dr. Heliker likes to spend time with her partner, toddler, and dog in the wild: camping, hiking, running, climbing, and doing yoga.
Volunteer Activities
IOWD- Rwanda for surgical and conservative care of women with fistulas.
Other Activities
Member, American Urogynecologic Society
Member, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Member, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Areas of Focus
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Urinary Incontinence
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Vaginal Surgery
Fecal Incontinence
Childbirth Injury
Sacral Neuromodulation
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Fellowship, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 2017
Residency, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 2014
MD, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 2010
BA, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 2005
BOARD CERTIFICATION
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
Obstetrics & Gynecology
LEADERSHIP
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of California, Irvine 2017-2021
American Urogynecologic Society, Education Committee 2017-2019
APGO Leaders and Scholars 2020-2021
Assistant Program Director of Surgical Education 2019-2021
OR Executive Committee, University of California, Irvine 2017-2020
Robotic Steering Committee, St. Joseph’s Hospital 2017-2019
HONORS
Super Doctors Rising Stars Award, 2021
APGO Leaders and Scholars Award, 2019
Best Medical Student Clerkship Award (Assistant Clerkship Director), 2017
Excellence in Medical Student Education Teaching Award, 2015
AGC/ RCOG Fellowship—Pelvic Floor Endoanal and Vaginal Ultrasound, 2014
Stanford University Hospital: Award for Surgical Excellence, 2014
Alpha Omega Alpha, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 2009
Summa Cum Laude, Washington University in St. Louis, 2005
Locations
Hospitals Served
- Legacy Emanuel Medical Center
- Providence Portland Medical Center
Publications
Heliker BD, Kenton K, Leader-Cramer A, Brown O, Bochenska K, Geynisman-Tan J, Mueller M, Lewicky-Gaupp C. Adding Insult to Injury: Levator Ani Avulsion in Women With Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2020 Nov 16. doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000954. Epub. PMID: 33208651.
Heliker BD, Kenton K, Komar A, Mueller MG, Lewicky-Gaupp C, Abernethy M. Treat or Wait? Natural Perioperative Course of Overactive Bladder Symptoms at the Time of Midurethral Sling Placement. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2021 Feb 1;27(2):e348-e351. doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000927. PMID: 32947550.
Buono K, Davé-Heliker B. Mechanical inserts for the treatment of faecal incontinence: A systematic review. Arab J Urol. 2019 Apr 8;17(1):69-76. PMCID: PMC6583709. https://doi.org/10.1080/2090598X.2019.1589776
Smithling KR, Adams-Piper EE, Tran A AM, Davé BA, Chu CM, Chan RC, Antosh DD, Gutman RE. Efficacy of Repeat Midurethral Sling for Persistent or Recurrent Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Fellows Pelvic Research Network Study. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2018 Jul 11. Nov/Dec 2019;25(6):430-433. PMID: 30694873. https://journals.lww.com/jpelvicsurgery/Abstract/2019/11000/Efficacy_of_Repeat_Midurethral_Sling_for.6.aspx
Geynisman-Tan J, Kenton K, Leader-Cramer A, Dave B, Bochenska K, Mueller M, Collins SA, Lewicky-Gaupp C. Anal Penetrative Intercourse as a Risk Factor for Fecal Incontinence. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2018 May/Jun;24(3):252-255. PMID: 28248849. https://journals.lww.com/jpelvicsurgery/Abstract/2018/05000/Anal_Penetrative_Intercourse_as_a_Risk_Factor_for.10.aspx
Geynisman-Tan J, Dave-Heliker B, Bochenska K, Collins S, Lewicky-Gaupp C, Mueller M, Kenton K. Duration of Catheterization After Retropubic Midurethral Sling. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2018 Mar 5. 2019 Sep/Oct;25(5):369-371. PMID: 29509646. https://journals.lww.com/jpelvicsurgery/Abstract/2019/09000/Duration_of_Catheterization_After_Retropubic.8.aspx
Geynisman-Tan J, Brown O, Mueller M, Leader-Cramer A, Dave B, Bochenska K, Collins S, Lewicky-Gaupp C, Kenton K. Changing Referral Patterns to Urogynecology. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2018 Jan/Feb;24(1):48-50. PMID: 28430727. https://journals.lww.com/jpelvicsurgery/Abstract/2018/01000/Changing_Referral_Patterns_to_Urogynecology.9.aspx
Davé BA, Boller AM. Mesh-Is Less More? JAMA Surg. 2017 Mar 1;152(3):263-264. PMID: 27902812.
Davé BA, Jaber C, Leader-Cramer A, Higgins N, Mueller M, Lewicky-Gaupp C, Kenton K. Effect of anesthesia type on perioperative outcomes with a midurethral sling. Int Urogynecol J. 2016 Sep;27(9):1327-32. PMID: 26811113.
Davé BA, Leader-Cramer A, Mueller M, Johnson LL, Kenton K, Lewicky-Gaupp C. Anal Sphincter Injuries After Operative Vaginal Versus Spontaneous Delivery-Is There a Difference in Postpartum Symptoms? Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2016 Jul-Aug;22(4):194-8. PMID: 26945270.