Arnel Anthony Balbuena, MD
I speak: English
My gender: Male
Where I practice
- Emergency service
- Urgent care services
- After-hours services
- Pharmacy services
- No emergency services
- No urgent care services
- No after-hours services
- No pharmacy services
About me
Hello. I’m Dr. Balbuena, a primary care physician with Kaiser Permanente’s Lancaster Medical Offices. I love primary care because it allows me to actively practice preventive medicine as well as play a part in treating the whole patient as opposed to one specific body system. While I began my career as an ob-gyn, delivering more than 200 babies during my residency, I discovered that family practice is where I am able to have a positive impact on many members’ lives on a regular basis.
Biography
I come from a family of physicians. My dad was a family doctor, while my mom was an anesthesiologist. I learned a lot about being a physician by going to my dad’s office after school. I appreciated how he loved being a physician and was well-respected in the community. Before going to medical school, I was a high school teacher, so if I seem to lecture on occasion, you’ll understand where that originates. Helping to educate my patients is an important part of my profession. I want to encourage them to make good choices. I graduated from Finch University of Health Sciences at the Chicago Medical School. My internship was at Cedars-Sinai, and my residency was at California Hospital Medical Center. Coming to Kaiser Permanente in 2012 was a good decision for me. Before that, I practiced with a small medical group in Pasadena I find that Kaiser Permanente gives me the support I need. They take care of the paperwork and other business aspects of running an office, which allows me to focus on medicine. I love working here.
About my practice
I welcome my patients to be open and frank with me. By listening carefully to their issues and concerns, I try to develop a good rapport with them and endeavor to provide sound advice on how best to manage their health. Encouraging people to take responsibility and control of their own well-being is a big concern of mine. By putting my patients in full control of their own well-being, my role becomes one of a coach and mentor to help them learn to stay active and healthy.
How I thrive
As the father of two boys, my family keeps me active. I love to run, swim, and play tennis. While my tennis game may not be as strong as it was when I was in college, I keep working at it. I’ve also competed in a few half marathons. I hope to run a full marathon someday. I’m an avid sports fan and love going to all sporting events. I also love to learn new songs on the piano when I get a chance.
My office
Languages spoken by medical staff
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My provider type
Physicians and SurgeonsMedical groups, plans, and locations
Southern California Permanente Medical Group
- Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)
- HMO
- Medi-Cal Managed Care
- Point-of-Service Plan (POS)
- Senior Advantage
Contact information
- Advice/appointments/cancellations/messages
- 1-833-574-2273 (toll free)
- After-hours advice
- 1-833-574-2273 (toll free)
- California Relay Service
- 711 (TTY for the hearing/speech impaired)
My training, certifications and licensing
Medical school
Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical SchoolBoard certification
Family Medicine
American Board of Family MedicineMedical training
Internship
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterResidency
Family Medicine
California Hospital Family Health Center (USC)Joined Permanente Medical Group
2012Active license information
License number
A93158License type
Physician and SurgeonLicense issuing state
CALIFORNIANational Provider Identifier (NPI)
1649472606Cultural Competency Training (CCT)
CompletedMy hospitals
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This page was last updated on: 11/01/2024