Gregory L. Umphrey, M.D., is a board-certified physiatrist, academic physician and healthcare leader at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. He serves as a consultant and associate chair of practice in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and as an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. His clinical practice focuses on sports and musculoskeletal medicine, spine care, interventional procedures, regenerative medicine and innovative rehabilitation delivery models.
Dr. Umphrey earned a Bachelor of Science in microbiology and molecular genetics from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he competed as an elite gymnast on a full athletic scholarship and received national and international recognition. He earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, graduating with academic honors and induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed three years of orthopedic surgery residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, before transitioning to physical medicine and rehabilitation. He subsequently completed his PM&R residency at Mayo Clinic and served as chief resident.
After training, Dr. Umphrey practiced for more than a decade at Barrow Brain and Spine in Phoenix, where he developed broad expertise in spine care, musculoskeletal assessment and interventional musculoskeletal medicine. He returned to Mayo Clinic in 2022. His clinical approach emphasizes comprehensive, multimodal care designed to improve function, reduce pain and advance minimally invasive treatment options, including ultrasound-guided procedures, advanced injection techniques and regenerative therapies.
Dr. Umphrey’s research and scholarly interests include rehabilitation access and outcomes, platelet-rich plasma technologies, regenerative medicine and osteoarthritis treatment. He has led a pilot study evaluating in-home physical therapy as a model for expanding access to supervised rehabilitation and has served as a principal investigator for industry-funded clinical trials. His scholarly work includes peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and presentations at national meetings, including the Association of Academic Physiatrists and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
A committed educator and mentor, Dr. Umphrey teaches medical students, residents and fellows in clinical examination, musculoskeletal medicine and procedural care. His educational contributions include curriculum development, journal clubs, clerkship oversight and longitudinal musculoskeletal training. In his leadership role, he contributes to strategic planning, outpatient practice optimization, departmental governance and initiatives that strengthen care delivery, physician engagement and organizational performance.
Beyond Mayo Clinic, Dr. Umphrey is a co-founder and board member of ElevateMeD, a nonprofit organization that supports underrepresented medical students through scholarships, mentorship and leadership development. He has also participated in international medical outreach and remains active in national professional societies. Across his clinical, academic and service work, he is committed to advancing musculoskeletal care, expanding access to rehabilitation, mentoring future physicians and helping build more inclusive and effective healthcare systems.
Areas of expertise
Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine
Comprehensive, non-surgical evaluation and treatment of sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions and activity-limiting disorders, with an emphasis on restoring function and helping patients return safely to the activities that matter most to them.
Spine Medicine
Whole-person assessment and management of spine-related pain using individualized, function-focused care and minimally invasive treatment strategies.
Regenerative Medicine
Evidence-informed regenerative treatments, including platelet-rich plasma therapy and prolotherapy, for selected joint, tendon and soft-tissue conditions.
Image-Guided Procedures
Ultrasound-guided joint and soft-tissue injections, perineural hydrodissection and fluoroscopy-guided sacroiliac joint injections performed with an emphasis on precision, safety and functional recovery.
Shockwave Therapy
Noninvasive shockwave therapy for selected chronic tendon and soft-tissue conditions as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
Movement, Biomechanics and Injury Prevention
A clinical perspective informed by an elite gymnastics background, with particular attention to movement quality, biomechanics, injury prevention and safe return to activity.
Professional highlights
Mayo Clinic Leadership
Consultant and associate chair of practice in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, contributing to strategic planning, practice optimization and initiatives that strengthen care delivery.
Academic Medicine and Education
Assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and an active educator of medical students, residents and fellows in musculoskeletal examination, procedural care and clinical reasoning.
Research and Innovation
Scholarly interests include rehabilitation access, platelet-rich plasma technologies, regenerative medicine and osteoarthritis treatment, with experience leading clinical studies and presenting at national professional meetings.
Service and Mentorship
Co-founder and board member of ElevateMeD, supporting underrepresented medical students through scholarships, mentorship and leadership development.