Dr. Alejandra Balen

Alejandra Balen, MD is a urologist in Myrtle Beach who specializes in minimally invasive endourology. She loves getting to know her patients and making sure they feel comfortable asking questions and talking openly about their health.

Dr. Balen earned her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine. She completed her urology residency at Rhode Island Hospital through the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, followed by a fellowship in minimally invasive endourology. She is certified by the American Board of Urology.

A longtime interest in anatomy and how the human body works first drew Dr. Balen to medicine. But just as important was the chance to help people through some of the hardest moments in their lives. Surgery appealed to her because she liked being able to find and fix problems to improve patients’ lives.

When it came time to choose a specialty, Dr. Balen decided on urology because of the relationships she could build with patients. She understands that some urologic concerns aren’t easy to talk about, so her goal is to make those conversations more comfortable, sometimes with a dash of humor to break the ice.

Her approach to care is simple: She treats every patient the way she would want someone to treat a member of her own family. She listens, takes concerns seriously, explains the options, and makes sure her patients know they have someone in their corner.

“When patients come to me with a problem, I want them to know I will do everything in my power to help them find a solution,” Dr. Balen says. “If I don’t have the answer or I’m not the right person to provide the care they need, I will work to find someone who is.”

One of Dr. Balen’s favorite parts of being a doctor is getting to know her patients over time. Those relationships are what make the work so rewarding, and she wants her patients to know they can come to her with questions or concerns and feel heard.

Originally from Chicago, Dr. Balen spent 15 years living in Rhode Island and Massachusetts before moving to South Carolina. She and her family have quickly felt at home thanks to how welcoming people have been.

Outside of work, Dr. Balen loves spending time with her family, especially at the beach. She also enjoys exercising, drawing and painting, reading, and traveling. She’s excited to call South Carolina home and to raise her family here.

EDUCATION
Doctor of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine
Bachelor of Arts, University of Michigan
University of Southern California

RESIDENCY
Urology, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren-Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University

FELLOWSHIP
Minimally Invasive Endourology, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren-Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University

BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
American Board of Urology

CLINICAL EXPERTISE
Urology
Urologic Surgery

SPECIAL INTERESTS

AWARDS, PUBLICATIONS & RESEARCH STUDIES 
Optimising Postoperative Care: Same-Day Discharge After Transurethral Resection of the Prostate, Journal of Perioperative Practice, 2024

SpaceOAR Hydrogel Present 32 Weeks After Instillation Prevents Neobladder Creation in Patient Undergoing Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Cystoprostatectomy, Journal of Endourology Case Reports, 2020

Active Surveillance Stone Protocol Reduces Endourologic Interventions, The Canadian Journal of Urology, 2019

Contemporary Assessment of Match Violations within Urology: An Opportunity for Ethical Leadership, Current Urology Reports, 2019

Ureteroscopic Assessment of Stone Burden After Dusting Correlates with Clinical Outcomes Despite Poor Stone-Free Rates on Post-Procedural Imaging, Journal of Urology, 2019

Perioperative Outcomes of Ureteroscopic Laser Lithotripsy with a Single-Use Disposable Ureteroscope, Canadian Journal of Urology, 2018

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS
Atlantic Urology Specialists – Myrtle Beach, SC