(602) 456-4355

About Helios

Collaborative Continuity

Team and Administration

At Helios Neurosurgery, we believe that true clinical coherence requires an exceptional team working in seamless alignment. Advanced neurosurgical care is a continuous journey that begins long before you enter the operating room and extends well past your recovery. To deliver a patient experience rooted in calm command and basic human decency, our clinical and administrative operations must be as precise and dependable as our surgical interventions.

We match Dr. Michaela Lee’s technical breadth with an administrative approach that strips away typical healthcare friction. Our practice operates without the detached, bureaucratic coldness often found in traditional specialized clinics. Instead, our leadership team ensures that every scheduling coordinator, medical record transfer, and peer-to-peer referral intake is handled with efficiency, clarity, and genuine respect for your time. We are here to bring order to complex situations, transforming a stressful medical milestone into a structured, trusted path forward.

Meet Dr. Michaela Lee

Fellowship-Trained Spine and Cerebrovascular Neurosurgeon Dedicated to Precision, Partnership, and Patient-Centered Care.

Dr. Michaela Lee is a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in complex spine, cerebrovascular, and skull base surgery. She completed her neurosurgical residency at The George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where she also pursued an enfolded fellowship in complex spine surgery.

To further her expertise, Dr. Lee completed a prestigious Cerebrovascular and Skull Base Fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute under the direct mentorship of Dr. Peter Nakaji- one of the most widely respected authorities in neurosurgery. She also heavily utilizes minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques that explicitly support faster, smoother recovery timelines for her patients.

Dr. Lee founded Helios Neurosurgery on a clear principle: Be a good human while treating them. Her clinical philosophy trades performative drama for clear, quiet command, ensuring every patient and referring physician experiences unparalleled technical capability delivered with genuine respect and approachability.

Our Leadership and Administrative Partners

Our operational framework is guided by professionals who understand both the high stakes of neurosurgical care and the vulnerabilities of the patients we serve. They protect the referral relationship and manage the critical details so that our patients can focus entirely on healing.

Haley Moore — Physician’s Assistant

Haley Moore is the physician assistant at Helios Neurosurgery, working alongside Dr. Lee through the full course of surgical care: pre-operative evaluation, the operating room, post-operative follow-up, and serving as a steady point of contact for patients navigating a complex diagnosis. She found neurosurgery early and stayed with it: first as a surgical scribe at Banner, learning the specialty from beside the surgeon before she ever practiced it, then through PA school and back to the same field as a neurosurgical PA at Banner University. She knows this work from the ground up.

Nancy Vargas – Office Administrator

Nancy Marie Vargas serves as Practice Administrator for Helios Neurosurgery. With more than 18 years of healthcare leadership experience, she specializes in neurosurgery operations, business development, patient access, physician relations, and strategic growth initiatives. Passionate about improving patient care and access to specialized services, Nancy works closely with Dr. Michaela Lee to support the continued growth and success of Helios Neurosurgery. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her children, relaxing by the beach, exploring nature, discovering new cuisines, and antiquing—her favorite form of therapy and treasure hunting.  

Denessy Portillo — Clinical Assistant

I have had the great privilege of working in neurosurgery, where I help guide patients through one of the most important times in their lives. From welcoming patients into the clinic and preparing them for surgery to coordinating referrals and ensuring continuity of care.

My priority is helping each individual feel heard, informed, and supported through clear communication, organization, and close collaboration with our providers. I strive to make every step of the surgical process as comfortable and seamless as possible.

I believe every patient deserves to feel confident in the care they receive, and I am honored to be part of their journey toward healing and improved quality of life.

Integrated Support for Providers and Families

By maintaining a dedicated, accessible leadership structure, Helios Neurosurgery guarantees that your administrative interactions reflect the same level of precision as our surgical techniques. Whether you are a referring physician tracking a complex patient triage or a family coordinator managing scheduling and documentation across the Phoenix Valley, our team is directly accessible to offer straightforward guidance.

If you need to verify administrative timelines, update patient files, or coordinate direct communication with our leadership team, please reach out to our office at (602) 456-4355.

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Mon - Fri: 8:30AM - 5:00PM

Sat - Sun: Closed
3333 E Camelback Rd Suite 255
Phoenix, AZ 85018