CHESSmates

Christa Balanoff, MD, MHPE, FACS, has dedicated her surgical practice to the treatment of breast disease.  She is honored to bring together the art, heart and science of medicine as part of the KUMC family.

Dr. Balanoff grew up in a military family, which brought the good fortune of living throughout the United States and across the globe.  She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.  She then moved to Texas, where she earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

During her senior year,  Dr. Balanoff was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. She received her medical degree in 1996 and relocated to Indianapolis, IN, completing her general surgery training at Indiana University in 2002.

Since that time, she has dedicated her surgical practice to the care of patients with benign and malignant breast disease.  She was in private practice in Indianapolis and Overland Park for over a decade prior to joining the KUMC family.  Returning to an academic practice reignited her passion for teaching and mentoring.  Dr. Balanoff completed her Masters in Health Profession Education in 2019.  She is honored to be an Associate Program Director for the General Surgery Department at KUMC.  Dr Balanoff has also served in the role of Director of DEI within the department and was instrumental in the development of the resident family leave policy as well as active engagement in resident didactics and forwarding the residency interview and selection process.

When she is not caring for her patients or working for the advancement of resident education, Dr. Balanoff enjoys spending time with her husband and two wonderful children.  An avid reader and aspiring world traveler, Dr. Balanoff relishes quiet moments and new opportunities to explore with her family.