Meet Our Rural Family Medicine Residency Program Residents

Benjamin Balin, MD

Undergrad: Duke University
Medical School: St. George’s University

About Me: I was raised in Southeastern Pennsylvania and attended a Quaker school where I competed in wrestling and track and field. I went to Durham, NC for college. A highlight of my education there was my engagement with Russian Literature, reading Tolstoy, Chekhov, and Dostoevsky. My favorite summer job during that time was working as a Longwood Gardens Arborist Intern, where I was taught how to ascend into trees’ canopies. I then aided my grandmother who was suffering from dementia and studied medical science at Drexel University. Afterwards, I went to St. George’s University in Grenada. The time on the island was cut short because of COVID-19, but I stayed through the end of the second semester after many students had left. Completing basic sciences remotely allowed me to experience living in some different parts of the U.S., like Louisville, KY and Kennebunkport, ME. My clinical experience in third and fourth years consisted of rotations throughout Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Jersey City.

Why Family Medicine? Harrison’s states, “It is important to recognize that tobacco and alcohol use, diet, and exercise constitute the vast majority of factors that influence preventable deaths in developed countries”. Family medicine allows a clinician to develop a longitudinal relationship with one’s patients, and often allows the provider to treat multiple members of the same family. In this way, a provider may be better able to enact positive behavioral change in the family unit as a whole, thereby promoting health interventions that will have a lasting impact, reduce societal disease burden, and most importantly prevent suffering. I also have a strong interest in psychiatric needs, and many family medicine practitioners also manage mental health concerns.

Why Williamsport/Wellsboro? I am excited to be a member of the inaugural class of the Rural Family Medicine program at Williamsport/Wellsboro. I am drawn to the challenges and rewards of being a part of a new program, particularly a program that is dedicated to rural populations. Tioga County has a certified dark zone, and I love looking at the sky undisturbed by light pollution. My favorite Chekhov story is Ward No. 6, which takes place in a rural setting, and the health needs of rural populations align with specific facets of my clinical interests, particularly regarding behavioral change, mental health, and addiction.

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Nicholas Ihnatenko, MD

Undergrad: Holy Family University
Medical School: Drexel University

About me: Though I’m originally from Connecticut, I grew up in Yardley, PA and Michigan. After school, I served in the US Army in the 82nd Airborne. After my service, I moved back to Philadelphia and attended Holy Family University where I studied biology, then went on to Drexel for medical school. My true passion is with animals, especially my cats. I also enjoy using my free time to test out new fitness gadgets, keeping me active with running and Crossfit.

Why Family Medicine? Family medicine gives me an opportunity to do a little bit of everything. I want to have the biggest impact for my patients, and I love the challenge of utilizing resources to their full potential to do the most good.

Why Williamsport/Coudersport? Williamsport is an area of need that truly differs from Philadelphia — I feel like I can make a difference here. Additionally, the support from fellow staff and co-workers is phenomenal. I also love the mountains and abundant access to the nature that surrounds the area.