Dr. Elena Jelsing, M.D. serves as a Team Physician for University of Northwestern Athletics as part of a partnership between UNW and Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine that began in 2024. She holds certifications in RMSK (Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer) and SafeSport.
Dr. Jelsing received her undergraduate degree from College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, MN, where she also participated in soccer and softball. While at CSB, Dr. Jelsing racked up numerous accolades for her achievements in the classroom and on the field. They include: National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athlete (2003), Delta Epsilon Sigma National Honor Society Member and Scholarship Award Recipient (2003, 2004), CSB Scholar Athlete of the Year (2003, 2004), CSB Presidential Award (2004), Class of 2004 College of Saint Benedict (CSB) Student Commencement Speaker (2004) and NCAA Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics (2004).
Upon graduating from Saint Benedict in 2004, Dr. Jelsing enrolled in medical school at Mayo Medical School in Rochester, MN. She spent her residency intern year at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, UT before moving on to Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education in Rochester for the remainder of her residency. Dr. Jelsing remained at Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education for her Fellowship in Sports Medicine.
As Mayo Clinic PM&R Sports Medicine Fellowship (Minneapolis) Program Director and Director of Resident/Fellow Sports Medicine Rotations at Mayo Clinic Square, Dr. Jelsing works with many different teams, athletes and sports. In addition to being a Team Physician for UNW Athletics, she is a Team Physician for the USA Ski and Snowboard teams and the Minnesota Lynx, as well as Head Team Physician for the USA Women's Ski Jumping team. Previously, she served as Head Team Physician for the USA Curling teams. Dr. Jelsing also serves as the Director of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR) Ultrasound Task Force. Previously, she was the Sports Ultrasound Committee Research and Publications Co-Chair for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM).
Other awards and recognitions Dr. Jelsing has received include: Alworth Scholarship (2000-2008), Abbott Scholarship (awarded by Mayo Clinic College of Medicine) (2004-2008), Earl Elkins Award (Mayo Clinic PM&R Distinguished Resident Award) (2012), CSB Decade Alumna Award (2014), Eastside Specialty Center Best Teamwork Award (2014), UW Medicine Cares Award (Spring, 2015) and Top Doctors Rising Star Award (2018).
After her playing days were over, Dr. Jelsing scratched her competitive itch via volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball recreation leagues. Now, she spends most of her time outside of work trying to keep up with her five children and yellow lab. The Jelsing family enjoys spending its time together on the lake or in the mountains.
