Roumen D. Balabanov, MD | Northwestern Medicine

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Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Acute Disseminated Encephalitis (ADEM)
Autoimmune CNS disorders
Autoimmune encephalitis
CNS Vasculitis
Multiple Sclerosis
Neuromyelitis Optica
Neurosarcoidosis
Transverse Myelitis

Education

Medical Education:: MD, Medical University Sofia Faculty of Medicine - 1991
Internship:: Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University (Sinai-Grace) - 1999
Residency:: University of Chicago - 2002
Fellowships:: University of Chicago - 2004

Languages Spoken

Bulgarian

Board Certifications

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology/Neurology - Neurology (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Associate Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:: Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:: Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:: Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

4.9

4.9

828 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

63 Reviews

Reviews from Patients

63 Reviews

February 23, 2026

5.0

Professional, knowledgeable and made me feel comfortable and confident.

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February 12, 2026

5.0

He listens to the patient, explains everything well, and makes decisions with me, not for me.

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February 10, 2026

5.0

He was knowledgeable enough to tell me I'm not being sent in the right direction by Northwestern for my care

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February 08, 2026

5.0

He is knowledgeable and honest and takes time to talk with me during appointments. One time he even called me on the phone about a question I had. It was very much appreciated!!

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February 04, 2026

5.0

He listens and asks pertinent questions.

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February 03, 2026

5.0

He took ample time to explain findings as well as next steps (and why).

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February 02, 2026

5.0

Careful thoughts and clear instructions

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January 30, 2026

5.0

He's a great neurologist

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January 24, 2026

5.0

I am confident in the care given to me by Dr. Balabanov. He takes his time with me and answers all my questions.

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January 20, 2026

5.0

Very nice

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January 20, 2026

5.0

He's been neurologist for almost 20 years. He's taken good care of me and always answers any questions I may have.

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January 18, 2026

5.0

Dr. Balabanov is very knowledgeable and compasionate about M.S. He has a great way of getting me to understand me and my issues. Along with, helping me resolve and work through them. I wouldn't be where I am at with my life, if no for his care.

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December 30, 2025

5.0

Excellent care

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December 25, 2025

5.0

How thorough Dr. Balabanov is with my treatment and treatment plan.

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December 23, 2025

5.0

Very friendly, professional, and always asks how he can help and how do you feel. He listens and is very comforting

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December 23, 2025

5.0

He was SO sweet and caring. I was started having severe anxiety during our appointment and he looked me in the eyes and told me "everything is okay". I have been to other numerologist in Chicago who just blew me off but he made me feel cared for

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December 20, 2025

5.0

Just so knowledgeable.

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December 18, 2025

5.0

He's extremely knowledgeable and still can simplify answers to be completely understandable.

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December 15, 2025

5.0

Dr. Balabanov is great and has been my doctor for over 12 years. He is caring and very quick to reply to any questions or concerns I have.

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December 15, 2025

5.0

Thorough, understanding, spends ample time answering questions, very well educated & articulate. Thankful for him.

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December 09, 2025

5.0

Personable and professional

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December 05, 2025

5.0

Very good , efficient and kind staff .

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December 05, 2025

5.0

Dr. Balabanov has excellent insight and knowledge into how I can continue to maintain and improve.

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November 18, 2025

5.0

I am highly confident in the care I have received from Dr. Balabanov over the past ten years. He takes his time with me at my office visits and answers all my questions.

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November 17, 2025

5.0

Best doctor

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November 07, 2025

5.0

Dr. Balabanov listens to you and gives you the best care.

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October 19, 2025

5.0

Dr. B was so gentle and soft spoken for a tall presence. He addressed my concerns and has a way of explaining things in a way that I could understand and comprehend. I so appreciate his bedside manner and his staff are in step with the processes I needed to proceed. I left my appointment that day with such clarity and relief that I have not experienced in a doctor's office in a very long time. Thank you Dr. B and Northwestern for a much needed uplifting visit with a plan going forward.

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October 12, 2025

5.0

I'd recommend doctor Balabanov because he truly listen and care. He don't just treat my condition; he treat me as a whole person. Every appointment feels like a partnership where my voice matters, and that means a lot when you're living with something rare and complex. His knowledge, compassion, and commitment have made a real difference in my life and nmo treatment

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October 12, 2025

5.0

Dr. Balabanov always takes his time answering all my questions. I trust in his medical care, because of his experience and qualifications.

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October 12, 2025

5.0

Very nice and smart

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October 10, 2025

5.0

Knowledgeable and personable, always great to see him.

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October 07, 2025

5.0

Very knowledgeable and takes the time to explain to you

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October 07, 2025

5.0

Dr. Balabanov is very knowledgeable and competent. He listens very well well and doesn't rush.

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October 06, 2025

5.0

First doctor to call after test results

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October 05, 2025

5.0

Very caring and diligent about continuing to find causes for all my symptoms. Good communicator as well.

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October 02, 2025

5.0

He cares about what he does and the patients he handles. Not just as a patient, but as a person

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September 19, 2025

5.0

Kind, knowledgable, great bedside manner.

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September 15, 2025

5.0

He is wonderful! I am so glad I decided to pick him many years ago when I was seeking care.

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September 14, 2025

5.0

A+

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September 08, 2025

5.0

He's fast acting with clear treatment plans. Very knowledgeable and definite.

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September 02, 2025

5.0

He listens to what I have to say and explains everything very well.

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August 30, 2025

5.0

Dedicated and explores every aspect of what I report to him as to symptoms and any changes in my condition. He listens well, and explains everything in layman's terms as well as sharing the medical background of his opinions.

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August 19, 2025

5.0

Dr. B spent the time to explain all the findings of the tests and MRI to us. He was professional, kind, understanding and courteous with us (seniors).

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August 10, 2025

5.0

Trust his care. Treats you with kindness and respect.

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August 05, 2025

5.0

Dr. B was a good listener, so thoughtful and compassionate.

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August 04, 2025

5.0

He is a neurologist who seeks the necessary and appropriate means for the stage of illness that the patient, in this case me, presents.

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August 02, 2025

5.0

Dr B has great bedside manner, he shows concern for his patients, he involves his patients in their care, he's very knowledgeable about his specialty and he's a great listener.

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July 29, 2025

5.0

I originally met Dr. Balabanov at Rush many years ago. When he left, I followed him here to Northwestern. He knows me, I've always felt so very comfortable and I feel he has taken exceptional care with me since my diagnosis of MS.

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July 18, 2025

5.0

He listens intently to everything I say and documents everything necessary in my chart.

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July 14, 2025

5.0

Consistent, timely, extremely knowledgeable, and he genuinely cares.

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July 14, 2025

5.0

When he comes in the exam room he says that he's happy to see me looking better. My doctor cares about my health and how I can learn to stay healthy! He even recommended Yoga.

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July 13, 2025

5.0

He's efficient and kind

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July 04, 2025

5.0

Took his time, explained everything, friendly and knowledgeable.

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June 22, 2025

5.0

I like the fact that he doesn't sugar coated the situation and that he is very empathetic.

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June 22, 2025

5.0

Extremely good at problem-solving and dedicated to finding ALL the causes of my symptoms and willing to TRY a possible solution, while monitoring me closely for any bad side-effects. First time in a year that anything has made a difference in the deterioration. .

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June 13, 2025

5.0

The doctor was explaining everything clearly and was very professional with me and wasn't in a hurry. I really like how he is. I really recommend him to my friends and family.

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June 12, 2025

5.0

I feel Dr. Balabanov is highly qualified and he always takes his time answering my questions.

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June 11, 2025

5.0

Excellent visits, especially with the attending Fellow on 6/10. Very thorough exam and follow-up.

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June 11, 2025

5.0

He is incredibly intelligent and competent. I know I'm in good hands.

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June 09, 2025

5.0

Excellent clinician, compassionate, listens, explains.

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May 25, 2025

5.0

Dr. B is very thorough and an expert in this area

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May 21, 2025

5.0

Professional, friendly.

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May 09, 2025

5.0

Very knowledgeable and cares about his patients

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Disclosures

Roumen D. Balabanov, MD reported no external professional relationships for calendar year 2024.

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.

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HealthBeat

Faces of MS

Three women discuss how they are thriving as they live their lives with multiple sclerosis.

More HealthBeat Articles