Medical Degree: University of Kansas
Residency: University of Kansas Medical Center
Clinical Interests: Rheumatology, immunology, osteoporosis, bone densitometry (DXA) scans
Location:
Downtown Health Center
240 W. Front Street
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Dr. Balentine was born in Forks and later moved to south central Kansas. After receiving a BS in Pharmacy from the University of Kansas, Larry spent two years in a neuropharmacology research laboratory at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Washington D.C. He received his medical degree from the University of Kansas and went on to complete his internal medicine internship and residency training at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). He was chosen to complete a year as chief resident in internal medicine before completing a fellowship program in allergy, rheumatology and immunology.
For several years during his early medical career, Dr. Balentine worked at least 1-2 shifts a week in emergency rooms in Kansas City, Kansas. In addition to practicing general internal medicine and rheumatology and immunology, he was the rheumatologist for the Harry Truman VA Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, for six years and was also involved in teaching med students, interns/residents and rheumatology fellows as part of the KUMC staff.
He left the Midwest in 1991 to practice general internal medicine and rheumatology/immunology in Bend, OR for 17 years, and later moved to the Pacific Northwest (Tacoma in 2008 and later Poulsbo in 2012), focusing on rheumatology and immunology until having the opportunity to practice general internal medicine/family medicine at NOHN.
Dr. Balentine enjoys all aspects of medicine and surgery and believes that most of the time, there is a unifying diagnosis that explains many of a patient’s symptoms and disease manifestations. Although isn’t always easy or quick to provide this unifying diagnosis, Dr. Balentine feels the greatest satisfaction as a person and a physician when working together with patients to review symptoms, find answers and develop a focused treatment plan.
Dr. Balentine enjoys cycling, hiking, kayaking, cross country skiing, using snowshoes to explore (and “get a good workout at the same time”), as well just hanging out in the beautiful Olympic Peninsula relaxing with a book, camera or notepad.