Biography
Originally from the western suburbs of Chicago, Dr. Balle completed her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, where she was first introduced to human anatomy and the gross anatomy lab. She then completed her Master of Science in Anatomy at Des Moines University and her Ph.D. in Anatomy and Cell Biology (Education Track) at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.
As a classically trained anatomist, Dr. Balle enjoys the clinical applications of anatomy and strives to teach her students the importance of truly understanding the anatomy in order to apply their knowledge to clinical
scenarios. She also believes that the gross anatomy lab and small group sessions play an important role in the integration of information, encouraging students to think deeper about various concepts. Beyond teaching medical students, Dr. Balle enjoys outreach to the community and anatomy education for all that want to know more about their own bodies. Dr. Balle also conducts medical education research and is actively working on projects covering a wide range of topics. A few of her interests include the student transition into a healthcare professional program, pre-clinical ultrasound education, and the impact of prior healthcare experiences on medical school performance.
In her personal time, Dr. Balle enjoys spending time with her family outside by an evening fire, at a local restaurant, or watching a good movie.
