Bradley Balint, MD

Dr. Brad Balint understands the science and the art of medicine. He usesevidence-based medicineto guide his decision making, but he knows that's just a starting point. "Each patient is an individual," Balint says. "Sometimes you have to stray from the textbook answer to meet the needs of the individual."
A pediatric hospitalist, Balint describes his job as caring for children while they areadmitted tothe hospital. He says helearns from each ofhis patients and hopes theyand their families knowthat he is invested in their wellbeing.
Balint grew upin nearby Mishawakaand attended bothPurdue University and IndianaUniversityin his pursuit ofa career inmedicine. He learned the importance of a positive attitude from a patient he cared forin medical school. "Despite the grueling treatments she was undergoing, she always remained positive and always had a smile for me," he says. "It taught me that no matter how bad a day I might be having, it's nothing compared to what she was going through. If she can have a positive attitude through that, then so can I."
Balint says he was impressed by Beacon from the first day he walked through the halls. "Itprobably hasthe nicest facilities of any hospital I've been in, and everyone I met seemed happy. I felt it was the perfect fit for me."

Questions:

Who is the most influential person/role model in your life?
My parents. They made sure I was pushed academically and kept me on a respectable path.
What was your first job growing up?
I delivered newspapers for the Penny Saver. I remember folding and putting the papers in the plastic bags every Saturday night so they could be delivered Sunday morning. After bagging papers for hours, my hands would be covered in ink.
If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why?
Roger Federer. I'm a big fan. I would love to pick his brain about all things tennis. If Roger had to cancel, fellow Purdue alumnus Neil Armstrong would have been an unbelievable dinner guest.
In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about?
My great love is downhill skiing. I also enjoy Indy car racing, Notre Dame and Indianapolis Coltsfootball, Atlanta Braves baseball,tennis, soccer,skydiving, mountain biking, hiking,and most recently, rock climbing. I alsolike watching movies and TV series andam developing quite the audiobook collection.
What is something most people don't know about you?
If they don't know it already, they find out pretty quickly that I love dogs! Some other thingspeoplemight not know is that I play the violin and I used to be a placekicker. I still kick footballs for fun.