Onyinye Diane Balogun, MD

Onyinye Balogun, MD is a radiation oncologist (specializing in the treatment of gynecologic and breast malignancies). She is a graduate of Harvard University and Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Balogun initiated her residency training at the University of Chicago and completed her final year at New York University. Her research focuses on eliminating domestic and global cancer disparities in gynecologic and breast cancer through epidemiologic studies, implementation science and clinical trials. She engages in global health activities with a focus on improving the delivery of radiation therapy (particularly brachytherapy) in low- and middle-income countries through capacity building, continuing medical education and research collaboration. As a Cancer and Ethnicity Scholar at the New York Genome Center, she oversaw the Polyethnic 1000 project, an initiative to study the genome's contribution to cancer disparities and served as the co-Principal Investigator of the Polyethnic 1000 endometrial cancer project. She has expanded her genomics research internationally to interrogate endometrial cancer genomics among women of African ancestry. She is also an inventor with a patent for a modernized brachytherapy device that improves the patient and physician experience.

Why should someone choose you to care for their health?
I will take the time to listen to you and your concerns. I deeply value shared decision-making and will approach your cancer care as a partnership. Moreover, I am committed to ensuring you receive evidence-based and personalized care.

What is the most important thing your patients should expect from their professional relationship with you? What do you expect from them?
My patients can expect that I will be responsive to them and that I will ensure they understand the treatment and all its aspects. It is important to me that each person feels empowered and informed throughout their treatment and for the duration of our relationship. Also, we will laugh together! I ask my patients to try their best to show up for appointments and that they communicate with me openly about their experience and concerns.

How do you spend your valuable personal time when you are not caring for patients?
I love reading books, listening and dancing to music, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends.

Why did you choose your specialty and what is its greatest reward?
I chose my specialty because I lost my aunt to breast cancer. At a young age, I vowed to spare other families from that pain. My field is constantly evolving. I enjoy learning and radiation oncology challenges me to continue educating myself about technologies, trials and more.

My greatest reward is giving others hope and bringing them some modicum of joy and/or quality of life improvement despite their diagnosis.