Naomi J. Balamuth, MD

female silhouette icon
Naomi J. Balamuth, MD, is a Pediatric Oncologist and the Medical Director of Medication Safety at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She has a special interest in pediatric sarcomas.

Areas of Expertise: Solid tumors, Bone and soft tissue sarcomas

Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Background

My area of interest is in pediatric sarcomas, a subset of solid tumors. The majority of my time is spent in clinical care and improving our global approach to sarcomas. I am working on building up the sarcoma program at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to ensure we have a team approach to these complicated tumors in children, and to integrate the best new and established treatments for these patients.

At Children's Hospital, we are first and foremost a family care center. I work to educate families and patients to understand the diagnosis and treatment plan so everyone is on the same page. I talk to families about the process and have them participate in the child's care. I also include the child in the discussion, in an age appropriate manner.

We are creating a team structure at Children's Hospital to bring innovative treatment to our patients. Our sarcoma physicians and researchers meet frequently to ensure that each patient is receiving the latest and best treatment protocols. We also have hired our first nurse practitioner, who specializes in sarcomas.

Children's Hospital has the unique capacity to take care of complicated patients with sarcomas. We have outstanding clinical care and a close relationship with our colleagues who are advancing our understanding and treatment of these challenging tumors.

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - Yale University, New Haven, CT

Internship

Pediatrics - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA

Residency

Pediatrics - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA

Fellowship

Hematology/Oncology  - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA

Board Certification

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Pediatrics

Undergraduate Degree

Columbia University, NY

Titles and Academic Titles

Attending Physician

Medical Director, Medication Safety

Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Conditions Treated

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

2013

Proton versus photon radiation therapy for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma: the need for a customized approach. Hill-Kayser C, Tochner Z, Both S, Lustig R, Reilly A, Balamuth N, Womer R, Maris J, Grupp S, Bagatell R. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2013 Oct;60(10):1606-11. doi: 10.1002/pbc.24606. Epub 2013 Jun 4. PMID: 23737005

2007

Use of rituximab in conjunction with immunosuppressive chemotherapy as a novel therapy for Epstein Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Balamuth NJ, Nichols KE, Paessler M, Teachey DT. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2007 Aug;29(8):569-73.

Books

Chapters

2008

Kazak AE, Alderfer MA, Rodriguez A. Psychological issues in cancer survival in pediatric populations. In Miller S, Bowen D, Croyle R, Rowland J, editors. Handbook of behavioral science and cancer. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2008. p.449-65.

Pentz RD, Haight AE, Noll RB, Barfield R, Pelletier W, Davies S, et al. The ethical justification for a minor sibling bone marrow donation: a case study. The Oncologist. 2008. p. 148-51.

Awards and Honors

2008 & 2009, Hyundai Hope on Wheels Clinical Scholar, The  Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2007, Amgen Hematology & Oncology Fellowship Award, The  Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2006, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Young Investigator Award, The  Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2005, Anne E. Dyson Advocacy Award, The  Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2002, Louis G. Welt Outstanding Thesis Award, Yale University

Editorial and Academic Positions

Academic and Institutional Committees

2012-present, Epic Clinical Champion, Oncology

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations

2006-present , American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
2006-present , American Society of Clinical Oncology
2006-present , American Association for Cancer Research
2006-present , American Society of Hematology
2002-present , American Academy of Pediatrics