Krisztina Balazs, MD

	Joined Feb, 2004 Department: Pediatrics [Map] Hospital Based Specialists Title: Physician Degree: MD Interests: My favorite activity is to spend time with my family. I love running, biking, swimming and skiing. I also love reading, listening to music and traveling. Languages: Hungarian and English Physician Homepage
Bio I had worked part time for Kaiser Permanente for almost a year before joining as full time physician in May 2005. I am a pediatric hospitalist, which means I work in the hospital and provide care for sick newborns and children admitted to the hospital. I also attend high risk deliveries to provide help for the babies if necessary. Occasionally I do help out in the Pediatric Clinic, but generally I am in the hospital. My maternal grandparents and great grandfather were physicians. I decided to become a pediatrician when I was in the hospital with a pneumonia at age fourteen. I had always loved children and had no doubt in my mind from that point that pediatrics is what I want to do. I graduated from Semmelweis Medical School in Budapest, Hungary. After working for two years at a children's hospital in Budapest, I was offered a pediatric residency position in Detroit, Michigan. That's how my family moved to the United States. I love my job. I feel honored to be able to provide care for babies and children. Working as a pediatrician for Kaiser Permanente makes my job even more enjoyable: I have my independency, backed up with wonderful colleagues and a full support system. I am very proud to be a physician in a system where for every employed doctor there are 7 applicants! Throughout my carrier I have worked extra time in newborn intensive care unit. If I had to pick a favorite interest, caring for newborns would be it, although I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of pediatrics. I am married and we have four children and a grandson. I have been homeschooling for two years. This will come to an end as our call schedule is about to change.
My Medical Specialty
More details about my specialty: I have always wanted to have three children and I decided to become a pediatrician at age fourteen. Well, instead of three, I have four children; however there has been no change in the pediatric plan. I love children. Being a doctor is very challenging and rewarding. I feel very lucky having the opportunity to do something I really like and happy with. My specialty interests and affiliations within my field: I am a member of the American Board of Pediatrics and Sonoma County Medical Association. My special interest is in newborn intensive care and also in preventive medicine. After my children are grown, I am planning to go to countries in the Third World and help children there. I will have to go to high places (Ethiopia, Ecuador), because I am rather allergic to insect bites, so tropical weather would make me quite miserable. Current projects or research: I have just graduated from Regis University's MBA with emphasis on health care management. I had started the school with a hope to understand (a little) better all the challenges and changes the US health care faces today. I am glad the school is over, but I certainly have gained a lot of understanding and knowledge. Great health resources that I refer to: The American Academy of Pediatrics has a very extensive, good information source for parents: http://aap.org/topics.html Kaiser Permanente also has wonderful resources regarding all aspects of health and healthy living. Here is a link to children's health topic: http://members.kaiserpermanente.org/kpweb/entryPage.do?cfe=288&rop=MRN I love Dr. Preston Maring's website, it has awesome recipes: http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pages/f23597.html
Interests
I started running when I had to lose A LOT of weight. Although I am at a good weight now, I have not quit running. I ran my first Marathon in October 2005. Since then I have finished four more, as well as a half ironman triathlon. This September I ran a marathon in my hometown, Budapest, and three weeks later I ran another one in San Francisco. This fall I started yet another hobby: I have started taking classes both in guitar and piano. Another passion of mine is coffee, especially Illy coffee. I collect Illy cups and Parker pens. Currently reading: Running magazines; I am about to start Picture This by Joseph Heller My favorite book or author: Favorite authors: Bernard Malamud, Oriana Fallaci Great movie: Forrest Gump	Hobby Photos & Links: My yearly Marathon
Family & Friends
People in my life: One of the hardest part of leaving Hungary was to leave my parents behind. My parents and my brother are physicists and we are just as close six thousand miles away as we were when I lived at home. My children and people I care about: We have four children and a grandson. I know I am blessed to have such wonderful children and I try to enjoy every moment with them. Judit, who is 19, is a second year medical student in Budapest. Atti (18) and Daniel (15) are students at Santa Rosa High School. I had homeschooled Benjamin (10) till the end of last school year, now he is back to Hidden Valley Elementary.	Photos of my Family & Friends: Our son, Atti My father My mother and my brother My children and grandson Our son, Daniel Our daughter, Judit with her son, Aiden Our son, Benjamin My husband, Csaba
My pets: Buffy is our Rat Terrier. We have two cats: Neptune is a Bengal cat and Jupi is an Abyssinian.	Pet Photos: Jupi Neptune Buffy
Travel
An adventure I've had: I have had the fortune of traveling a lot with my parents, both within Hungary and outside the country. My favorite trip with them was to Finland. My favorite trip with my husband was to Israel. Favorite place in the world: Budapest - I grew up there and I miss it very much. The Castle, the Danube, the bridges... oh and the pastries! Take a virtual tour at: http://www.virtourist.com/europe/budapest/index.html (sorry, no virtual pastries!:-))	A Photo of One of My Favorite Places: