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Dr. Debra Balke, MD

Dr. Debra Balke, MD

Pediatric Neurology*
30+ years of experience

Dr. Debra Balke, MD is a pediatric neurologist in Templeton, CA and has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES / CENTER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES in 1992. She is affiliated with medical facilities such as French Hospital Medical Center and Lompoc Valley Medical Center. She is accepting new patients.

4 Star Rating
Based on 20 reviews 4 Star Rating (20 reviews)

Practice

1320 Las Tablas Rd Ste E Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-0960

Care Philosophy

" Focusing on talents and abilities, and creating interest-driven activities."

- Dr. Debra Balke, MD

At a Glance

  • Area of Expertise
    Dr. Balke specializes in the area of Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology. • See board certifications
  • Explains Conditions Well
    Patients said this doctor explains conditions well. • See reviews
  • Practices at Top Hospital
    Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ • See hospitals
  • Hospital Satisfaction
    Patients said they were highly satisfied at this doctor's hospital. • See hospitals
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Dr. Balke's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Balke

4.0
20 ratings, 5 with a written review
5 star
75%
75%
4 star
0%
0%
3 star
0%
0%
2 star
5%
5%
1 star
20%
20%

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Wonderful
Doctor Balke has seen my son since he was 5 years old for migraines and other needs. She has been wonderful with him and speaks directly with him on how he is feeling and doing as he has gotten older and age has permitted ( he is 15 now). She has been an advocate for him with his needs and treatments and has always responded to any question(s) or concerns I have had.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Jessica Hannemann – Mar 02, 2023
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She gave me a lumbar puncture and told me to sit up right after I got a spinal headache and couldn't stand for days. I also have a Chiari malformation which apparently gets worse from lumbar punctures which she forgot to mention
What went well
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
San Luis Obispo, CA – Oct 25, 2017
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Dr. Balke really cares about our whole family. She listens to all of our concerns about our son, and gives us very useful recommendations for those concerns. We never get the feeling that she's rushing us through our appointment. She gives ample opportunity to discuss anything that comes to mind. It's rare to find a doctor like Dr. Balke who is both very knowledgeable, and makes it feel like you're talking to a friend that truly cares about you and your family's well being.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Sarah – Feb 12, 2017
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Dr. Balke told me my baby would likely be autistic and not be able to walk or stand. This was after a30 minute exam and no tests. Next was the dreaded, 'take him home and love him' statement. That was our only appointment with her! Four years have past, my son is not autistic, can stand and walk with assistance. Of all the doctors my son has seen, no one else has forecasted his future in a 30 minute exam. And it wasn't a good guess either!
What went well
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Nipomo, CA – Jan 25, 2017
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I called to change the appointment for my son and the rude receptionist refused to do it stating that they do not change appointments for first time patients. This dr. is arrogant and her staff are uncaring and hard to work with.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Staff wasn't friendly
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Emma S in templeton, ca – Sep 02, 2016
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Know Before You Go

About Me

Watch Dr. Balke's Video

care philosophy

 Focusing on talents and abilities, and creating interest-driven activities.

  • Pediatric Neurology

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • University Of California, School Of Medicine

    Fellowship Hospital

  • University Of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School Of Medicine

    Residency Hospital

  • University Of California, School Of Medicine

    Internship Hospital

  • University Of California At Los Angeles / Center For Health Sciences

    Medical School, 1992
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology®
- 
Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

Healthgrades receives board action history for physicians and physician assistants. The information displayed here is sourced from independent information providers, such as state board websites, and may not be the most up-to-date information. Healthgrades makes no representations with respect to the accuracy of any information provided here and assumes no responsibility or liability for such information.

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Locations

Practice

Office1320 Las Tablas Rd Ste E Templeton, CA 93465
1

Affiliated Hospitals

  • French Hospital Medical Center

    1911 Johnson Ave
    San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
    Recipient of 3
    hospital awards

    Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ (2024, 2022)

    Top in the nation for overall patient experience based on nine measures related to doctor and nurse communication, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, and medication and post-discharge care instructions

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    91%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    7% higher than the national average

    82%
    Patients said that nurses always listened to them and explained things well

    7% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback

  • Marian Regional Medical Center

    1400 E Church St
    Santa Maria, CA 93454
    Recipient of 4
    hospital awards

    America's 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2023)

    Top 5% in the nation for consistently delivering clinical quality

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    89%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    5% higher than the national average

    74%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    2% lower than the national average

    View all patient feedback

  • Adventist Health Sierra Vista

    1010 Murray Ave
    San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
    Recipient of 2
    hospital awards

    Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2024)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    85%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    1% higher than the national average

    72%
    Patients said that nurses always listened to them and explained things well

    3% lower than the national average

    View all patient feedback
Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality