Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Wilkens completed his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. He attended UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School where he decided to combine his past experience as a construction worker with his current medical training to become an orthopaedic fracture surgeon.

After an 80 degree temperature differential during his January residency interview, Dr. Wilkens wisely decided that California would be a suitable place to continue his training.

While a resident at The University of California, Irvine, Dr. Wilkens was involved in the development of the Mission Hospital Orthopaedic Residency Program and was in the first class of residents to rotate at Mission. After completing his five year residency at UCI, Dr. Wilkens spent one extra year in Sacramento at UC Davis receiving specialized training in orthopaedic traumatology (the care of the multiply and severely injured trauma patient).

Despite his love for teaching, and academic medicine, Dr. Wilkens has chosen to serve the community of Mission Viejo as the only fellowship trained traumatologist in the area. He is the Orthopaedic Trauma Director for Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center where he spends the majority of his time treating patients with urgent and emergent musculoskeletal conditions. He is currently developing a regional referral center at Mission Hospital for patients with complex acute and chronic orthopaedic traumatic conditions.

When not in the hospital, Dr. Wilkens enjoys spending time with his wife and 5 year old son, flying helicopters, and catching whatever fish are biting in the local ocean.