Emory Faculty
Emory Faculty
Michael Alan Balk, MD
Echocardiography, Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiology
4.9 - 688 Ratings
Emory Heart & Vascular at East Cobb
137 Johnson Ferry Road, Ste 1200, Marietta, GA 30068 +2 More LocationsAbout
After residency at the Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania in 1990, Dr. Balk completed his fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at Emory University and was a faculty member of Emory University School of Medicine and Emory Clinic for four years.
Dr. Balk re-joined Emory Healthcare in 2018 as Chief Quality Officer of Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital and a cardiologist at Emory Clinic. In 2019, he was named a Diamond Provider by the Patient Experience team as part of the Top 1% Provider Recognition List. He won the Preceptor of the Year award in 2009 at the Emory University School of Medicine PA program and served on the Council of the Georgia Chapter of the American College of Cardiology from 2011-2017. He completed two terms as President of the board of directors of the Metro Atlanta Southeast Affiliate American Heart Association. He is a founding member of the Society of Cardiac Computed Tomography and Board Certified in cardiovascular disease and nuclear cardiology. Dr. Balk has particular interests in complex consultative cardiology and non-invasive imaging.
Languages
- English
Emory Affiliation
- Emory Clinic - School of Medicine Faculty
- Emory Healthcare Network
- Emory Physician Group Practice
Academic Title
- Assistant Professor
Academic Profile
Year Started Practicing
- 1994
Locations
Emory Heart & Vascular at East Cobb
137 Johnson Ferry Road
Ste 1200
Marietta,
GA
30068
Emory Heart & Vascular Center at Saint Joseph's
5671 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Fl 3, Ste 300
Atlanta,
GA
30342
Emory at Belmont
1060 Windy Hill Road Southeast
Ste 100
Smyrna,
GA
30080
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The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
Dr. Balk is one of the best!!
As a 76 year old woman I have several doctors. Dr Balk is the most attentive and caring.
Dr. Balk has a great bedside manner. He retains detailed knowledge of my medical history and displays a great deal of knowledge about my heart condition - an ASD repair. He shows sincere interest in guiding me towards having a healthy life.
Dr Balk is outstanding. I am fortunate to have him as my cardiologist.
Dr. Balk is exceptional. He shows full awareness and understanding of my condition and mastery of options, pros and cons. He does not make me feel rushed -- a rarity in today's medical world.
Most of my family uses Dr Balk. He saved my life around 30 years ago.
Dr Michael Balk is very professional very knowledgeable and very personal. He's the best.
Dr. Balk is a great listener and is very attentive to your questions as well as taking ownership of your health. He is a blessing to have as my cardiologist.
Great doctor but very bad ability to get pacemaker when badly needed
Balk is a fantastic clinician
Explanation of care recommendations was excellent. Thank you.
Dr. Balk is an excellent cardiologist. I trust him explicitly and find comfort under his care.
Dr. Balk was very caring and concerned about my health. He took the time to explain in terms that I could understand. Very much appreciated!
I can't say enough how thankful I am to have Dr. Balk as my doctor. He explains, he listens, and he cares. Never making me feeling rushed.
I always speak very highly of my provider and staff.
Dr Balk is the best
Dr. Balk was very informative, professional, and always a pleasure to discuss my issues.
Very Good
I couldn't expect better communication and explanation from any physician
It a very good experience
Doc made me feel better about my prognosis
Excellent expertise and care
Love Dr Michael Balk.
Dr. Balk was one of the best doctor I have seen in my lifetime
All good!
Thank you, Dr. Balk. It was very nice seeing you again.
Dr. Balk is an excellent physician, one of the best. We had a really good conversation about his observations and assessment and he put a really good care plan together.
Dr was very pleasant and very informative on my situation
Very glad to have Dr Balk as my new cardiologist. Very personable and professional. Clearly great at what he does!
Dr. Balk always listens to me and answers my questions. He is very good at explaining things to me.
Dr Balk was exceptionally patient friendly. Explained the condition and it's implications thoroughly.
Dr. Balk listens and is a great communicator.
Well prepared; engage with me; very thorough
Dr. Balk is an outstanding doctor who explains everything well and shows he cares for the patient.
Excellent visit. Dr Balk was easy yo talk to and covered all my concerns even before I asked. Was so pleased with the visit. I happy I got an appt with him
Dr. Balk and his staff are excellent. Thorough examination + explanation. I wish all doctors were this good. I suspect the entire staff is so attentive because of his leadership
Dr Balk is the best
Dr. Balk does an amazing job of listening and explaining
I have confidence in Dr Balk's decisions to help me find the best way forward for good health.
It was great, I had a thorough examination and was provided ample feedback from both the doctor and the nurse.
Doctor appeared annoyed the entire ten minutes of the visit. He was not interested at all in me as a person, merely as a unit of time. He assumed the patient knew little or nothing about his condition. He was arrogant.
Excellent communication, very professional and likeable.
Respectful and efficient
Dr. Balk cares for me really. He is awesome
Dr. Balk is amazing. He listens to my concerns and explains in detail his thoughts and treatment plans. I'm very happy with the level of care.
Dr. Balk explained my charts and compared the previous one to newer ones. Very thorough and kind.
Several family members and friends have become Dr. Balk's patient. He is an incredible physician who exudes care, compassion, and competence. We are blessed to be in his practice.
Excellent
Dr Michael Balk is exceptional. He is a life-long student, keeping up with research. He is attentive to details, enabling him to efficiently provide personalized care. I appreciate that.
Dr Balk was excellent in asking questions and providing information during my visit
Dr Balk is very easy to talk. He listens and explains well. I feel very confident in his concern and treatment. I have always recommended him.
27 years of excellent care
Always thorough and listening
Dr. Balk, in my opinion. Is the best cardiologist in Atlanta. Saint Joseph is lucky to have him.
Already recommended several folks to Dr. Balk and Emory St. Josephs.
Dr. Balk is so very knowledgeable and takes the time to really talk to us and explain everything but also makes sure we understand. He includes us in deciding on next steps and best steps to take.
With good reason, and significant experience, I am convinced that there is not a cardiologist in the greater Atlanta area with the knowledge and compassion shown by Dr. Balk. What a fantastic resource; I am grateful that Emory cultivates such a superb doctor and, most importantly, indebted to Dr. Balk for his care and willingness to schedule, review, and fully explain to me the ramifications of my cardiac assessments and discuss the available options.
Dr. Balk is a top rated Physician
Excellent
Good thanks
The Best doctor around Atlanta in any field!!!!
Dr Balk is very good at explaining things and answers question with an explanation that is very understandable.
Dr. Balk is one of the best doctors I have ever seen. He is so caring and explains everything, so a patient understands their concerns fully. He also goes beyond the call of duty to do whatever he can to help you.
I felt like a colleague assisting in the evaluation of my treatment.
(see previous comments) Dr. Balk is excellent and I am very glad he is my cardiologist.
Dr. Balk is a wonderful awesome cardiologist. He cares for his patient truly
Dr. Balk is an excellent provider! Always willing to listen and provide feedback.
Dr Balk is excellent.
Good
Dr Balk is a excellent Dr.
Dr Balk is the ideal cardiologist. He's extremely knowledgable, caring, and great at monitoring cardiac conditions. None better than Dr Balk. I am grateful to be in his care.
Wonderfully relaxed meeting and the addition of a summary of my overall health. Great bedside manner!
Dr.Balk always gives me wonderful care!!
Very competent and helpful
Dr. Balk is excellent. I would recommend him to anyone who needs cardiac care.
Dr Balk is the complete package I look forward to in a doctor. Experienced, skilled, great communicator, emphatic and more. I feel lucky to have him as my cardiologist.
My doctor, Dr.Balk is simply outstanding he's very caring. He knows my health in my background. I've had a lot going on in my health life in the past year. He took the time to read through all of my charts, all of my surgeries all of my procedures, and made sure that I went and left and got help in the areas that I needed to contacted my internal medicine provider and let them know the things that he thought that needed to be looked at and attention to I took care of that today and I could not be more appreciative
I had a series of small heart attacks about 14 years ago, which culminated in quadruple by-pass surgery. The problem was discovered during my annual physical with Dr. Tracey Wallace, and he called Dr. Balk when a routine EKG showed there was a problem. Dr. Balk was able to see me the same day, and I was checked Into Saint Joseph's for the surgery. I was and always will be grateful to both doctors since I don't know If I'd still be alive without their help. Dr. Balk has been my cardiologist ever since, and I enjoy catching up with him during my annual check-ups each year.
Dr Balk is so caring and supportive. The PA that was training was wonderful also
Dr Balk is wonderful. He explains everything and he is compassionate
Dr Balk normalized the fears instilled by the Neurologist in the hospital
Dr. Balk is amazing!! I always enjoy my visits with him. He is so smart, and knows all the best ways/plans for my care. Super nice guy!
I love with the way Dr. Balk explains everything and listens to your concerns. Easy to talk to.
Dr. Balk represents a clinician at his very best. Extremely knowledgeable, very patient, observant, friendly, efficient. He totally understood my concerns and addressed them with no sense of haste.
Dr. Balk is an outstanding cardiologist. He is extremely knowledgeable, forthright, good listener with an excellent bedside manner
Dr Balk always excellent!!!
Dr always very well briefed on my situation before entering exam room
Dr Balk is someone that shows interest and concern for my heart isues. Always explains in detail what to expect as I go about my daily routine.
Dr Balk Is very personable, listens, and provides excellent care.
Good
I was positively impressed with the care shown by the intern, and I love the knowledge Dr. Balk possesses regarding my health combined with his knowledge and experience with my family history. He has cared for my parents and uncle and can make appropriate decisions based on that knowledge. He is kind, considerate, professional, affable and personable. I applaud and appreciate his standard of care and recommend him to my friends and family members frequently.
Excellent care given
Dr. Balk is a fantastic Doctor. He has been my cardiac doctor since 2010 when he was at Northside. I followed him to Emory. I am very pleased to have him taking care of my cardiac issues!!!
Very good
I have been with DR Balk for well over a decade and trust him and his judgement
Dr Balk is pleasant, courteous, professional. One can easily see that he enjoys his profession and specialty. He is knowledgeable. Stays up to date on the latest research and studies/trials being conducted. Excellent!
Great doctor and explained everything in detail and given options for further care
Dr. Balk provided a very thorough explanation and answered all questions candidly in a personable way which was much appreciated.
Doctor Balk continues to be interactive in conversations about the current status of my medical status. He is an excellent cardiologist in approaching how to work with the patient in discussing tests results and options of proceeding forward.
Dr. Balk was excellent - attentive, taking the time to explain and listening to my questions and concerns.
I was very impressed with Dr. Balk. Very informative, personable and knowledgeable I trusted him with my care almost immediately.
Very thorough
Dr Balk is excellent. He is personable professional and a good listener.
Dr. Balk is a wonderful doctor, I'd recommend him to anyone who needs a cardiologist.
My doctor was great and I would gladly recommend him to others.
Awesome visitin quick without long wait and Dr was very communicative and explained options very well
Dr. Balk did an excellent job!!!
I'm really liked how the physician explained how he was using a new AI tool and ask my permission and I Thoroughly appreciated the end depth conversation regarding the report I brought into him to review. He even brought up pictures on the Internet of the Heart and showed me how things worked and what issues I was having. Very friendly.
My husband is not well, and he sees many physicians at Emory, but the only one who shows concern for him is Dr. Balk. Dr. Balk Is kind, and he includes my husband in his conversation. I am my husband's caretaker, and I take him to his many appointments. Dr. Balk treats my husband like he (my husband) is important, not like he doesn't matter because he will not recover. It's hard to see how little compassion some of his physicians show for my husband as he approaches the end of his life.
Dr. Balk takes great care of his patients
Dr. Balk an extensive amount of time with my husband, and I explaining our options in helping us to make informed decisions. I feel extremely confident in Dr Balk. I wish I could see him for my follow up but I understand he's very, very busy
Dr. Balk is an exceptional physician. He is knowledgeable, explains everything, a good listener, caring, engaging and funny.
Excellent visit
Dr. Balk always explains everything very clearly, and he makes sure I understood and have an opportunity to ask questions.
Dr. Balk always listened and explains
Dr Balk does not seem rushed at all. He was thorough in his explanations of my condition and very willing to answer questions.
Would definitely recommend. Excellent focus and explanations. Very impressed!
I am so pleased with the service I have received from Dr. Balk. I was worried about changing from my previous cardiologist, whom I'd seen as a patient for 5 years. Like my previous doctor, Dr. Balk takes the time to explain things to me and listen to my progress, while also soliciting my input for my treatment plan.
Already recommended mt sister
Dr Balk was very professional, informed and sensitive when addressing my medical concerns.
Dr. Balk is a great cardiologist
There is no one better in cardiology (or most medical areas) than Dr. Balk. He Is the consummate doctor - complete, clear in his explanations, and caring. He is the doctors' doctor. I am grateful for his care, analytical brilliance, and his ability to explain factors in a totally understandable way.
Excellent in every way
Expertise and good humor always
Very good experience
Fabulous. Balk!
Dr B is an amazing doc
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!
Dr Balk is outstanding. His experience shows, and It Inspires trust. I like his approach to test results. He explained everything, taking the time necessary to make sure I understood, and putting each finding in proper context.
Dr. Balk is thorough, listens carefully and provides excellent description of testing and the way forward. Highly recommended
I have had many doctors over the years but never have I felt the concern and interest Dr Balk has given me.He takes time to explain and never talks down to you. I feel very confident in his care .I leave feeling good
Dr. Balk understood what was the issue. Told me the recommended plan and why. He was clear and very aware what my condition was. I felt completely at ease with his evaluation.
Dr. Balk is the best
Superb explanations and clarity.
Excellent
Dr. Balk always shows concern for any issues that I may have
Dr Balk took time to fully explain my condition and provided guidance on what to expect.
Experience was excellent
Just wonderful. A great experience
I was advised of all medications
Dr. Balk goes out of his way to personally care for each of his patients.
Dr. Balk and his PA in training were-as always-excellent. All questions/concerns were addressed thoroughly and I never felt rushed.
They don't come any better than Dr Balk. He is an excellent physician. He always takes time to listen and answer all of my questions, and our meeting is always very thorough.
Dr Balk is great and very thorough.
Care giver had reviewed my history prior to seeing me and shared his concerns with me and treatment recommendations. He explained things in detail .
Spoke to me in layman terms that I was able to understand and showed visuals for clearer picture of potential issues
Dr. Balk is an exceptional physician. He is a life-long learner and always engaged. He is a rare blend of physician, educator, scientist and caring human. That is a rare combination. Too often, I see Drs drift toward cattle rancher with broad dispatch of generalized protocols to efficiently manage the herd. Balk never gives me that impression. He delivers personalized care, adapted to my situation and abilities while still being highly efficient.
Dr. Balk is fantastic!!! I am so very glad he has been my cardiologist for 14 years. He always does a great job!!!
Dr. Michael Balk spends good quality time with me in explaining my cardiac and overall health, answers my questions and offers his good expert advice
Dr Balk is the consummate professional Not only outstanding in his field but awesome demeanor and concern. Great bedside manner
Dr Balk is by far the best doctor I or my family have had
He was very concerned about my health and made me feel very relaxed he was also very respectful nice doctor
Obvsly very knowledgeable doctor, moved through everything fairly quickly.
Dr. Balk was very nice easy to talk to and friendly.
Dr. Balk is outstanding. Just that simple. Worth waiting to see. Clear, concise, personable, warm, but surely you already know this.
Dr.Balk is lovely... Kind & knowledgeable...
Great doctor
I like the treatment with Dr. Balk so well I've asked my husband to also use him as his cardiologist.
LOVE DR MICHAEL BALK
Dr Balk was very thorough and showed great concern for my condition.
Dr. Balk is outstanding.
Dr. Balk did an outstanding job explaining my issue to me. He took time to make sure I understood what he talking about.
Dr balk rates Superior.
Dr. Balk is an excellent physician
Dr Balk is great on all the above. He explains things completely and efficiently, is open to questions, shows empathy and connection. A++
Dr. Balk is fantastic. Shows great concern for his patients and explains everything clearly and with great detail.
Dr. Balk is always willing to answer questions about any concerns we have. He makes me feel like my questions are valid, and this isn't the case with some doctors. It's important.
Dr Balk is THE best! He is very professional and knowledgeable. Most of all is very personable and informative. His rapport with me makes me feel at ease and his explanations are very thorough, thoughtful and easy to understand. He takes time with me and I feel I'm getting the cardiac care that I can receive!
Dr Balk is very informative.
Excellent care
Dr Balk is awesome at explaining the clinical side in layman's terms using visuals
Dr Balk was so thorough, evaluated my meds, my symptoms, etc. Gave excellent explanations and offered valuable adice regarding options for my care.
Dr Balk is a great listener and a gifted, knowledgeable communicatory.
Dr Balk is great
Dr. Balk addresses and explains the patient's current status, any changes and discusses possible future goals and/or treatments. This is done in a manner that the patient can understand. He is very attentive and professional and empathetic.
All 3 providers very good
Dr. Balk has always explained everything very clearly and answered questions that I had.
Dr. Balk listens to the specifics of what you are communicating, interprets from a medical standpoint then makes suggestions on how to proceed both short term and/or long term to arrive at the desired result.
Dr. Balk is thorough and very knowledgeable. He took his time
Doctor Balk is terrific.
Dr Balk s demonstrates excellence in communication, partnership with me while educating me. Excellent manor and expertise.
Outstanding staff. I love Dr Balk.
Dr Balk is the best ever!
Dr Balk is awesome!
Dr. Balk is a very engaged, caring, and thorough doctor. He reviewed all my tests with me and went over everything thoroughly so that I had a clear understanding of my health conditions and the path forward. He set my mind at ease but didn't discount my issues. I feel that I am in very good hands while in his care.
Awesome doctor
My visit was very pleasant!
Dr. Balk is extremely good at his profession.
I do recommend Emory
Dr Balk is very thorough!
Dr. Balk listened to the patient and the family. He answered all questions. He comes across as experienced, realistic and practical.
Dr. Balk discussed both my symptoms, prognosis and future plans for medical tests. He asked my opinion and solicited my agreement rather than just telling me what to do. I appreciated being part of the process.
Dr. Balk is very approachable, kind and his advice is clear, reasonable and honest.
Physician is excellent. Provides me with the current status of my issues, makes recommendations for current treatment and probabilities for future treatment. Also includes my opinions in any treatment provided. Would highly recommend this physician.
All staff knowledgeable and nice
Clear and concise!
Outstanding
Visit was short and rushed. Little opportunity for questions, especially questions in consideration to newly given information.
Excellent care was provided.
Dr Balk is a consummate professional
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Credentials
Education
- Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, 1994
- Residency: Hospital of Univ of Pennsylvania, Internal Medicine, 1990
- Internship: Hospital of Univ of Pennsylvania, Internal Medicine, 1988
- Medical Education: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, MD, 1987
Board Certifications
- Cardiovascular Disease, American Board of Internal Medicine, 1995
Awards
DIamond Provider, The Emory Clinic, 2019.
President, Board of Directors, American Heart Association, Metro Atlanta Greater Southeast Affiliate, 2016-2018
GA-ACC councilor 2011-2017
Medical Director, Heart & Vascular Institute, Northside Hospital, 2011-2017
Emory University School of Medicine Community Preceptor of the Year award 2009
Professional Memberships
- American Heart Association
American College of Cardiology
