Joseph Martin Baloga, MD

(May 7, 1964 – March 31, 2012)

A memorial service is planned for Dr. Baloga at the SOCE offices (see details below)

Dr. Joseph M. Baloga was born on May 7, 1964, in Kingston, Penn. and grew up in Shavertown, Penn. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Boy Scout Troop 233, Dallas, Penn. In high school Dr. Baloga was active in the school drama curriculum and graduated from Dallas Sr. HS with honors. He was an active member of St. Thereseâ’s Church, Shavertown, where he was an altar server and lector.

Joseph graduated from Pennsylvania State University Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Microbiology with honors in molecular and cell biology and minor in technical writing.  He received his Doctorate in Medicine from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health in 1990. He completed his internship and residency in 1993 at University of Rochester Medical Center, NY. Dr. Baloga was Board Certified in Internal Medicine as well as Endocrinology and Metabolism. He completed 3 years of fellowship at the University of California, San Diego, and the San Diego Veteran Medical Center completing important early research on insulin resistance.

Dr. Baloga remained in California, where he practiced at Santa Cruz Medical Clinic and currently at South Orange County Endocrinology. He specialized in Type I and II Diabetic treatments and treatments of growth hormone deficiencies. Dr Baloga was known for his compassion to his patients and expertise in his field.

While at home Joseph (Joe) enjoyed gardening, gourmet cooking, caring for his pets as well as traveling. Joseph was a member of St. Nicholas Church, Laguna Woods.

Dr. Baloga is survived by his brothers Jack and wife Pat (Rochester, NY), Stephen and wife Patti (Harrisburg, Penn.), Thomas and wife Gayle (Goshen, NY), David and wife Donna (Dallas, Penn.), and his sister Alice Conner (York, Penn.). In addition he will be missed by numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins as well as his life partner and friend Kenneth R. Wells (Laguna Hills, Calif.). He was predeceased by his mother and father, Florence Patricia (nee Gaj) and John M. Baloga of Shavertown and a sister, Patricia and brother in law Troy E. Conner.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the San Diego House Rabbit Society, P.O. Box 261553, Dan Diego, CA 92196.

A memorial service is planned for April 9 at 4 pm at the South Orange County Endocrinology offices. A Mass of Christian burial is planned at St. Thereseâ’s Church, Shavertown, with interment at Trinity Cemetery, Pringle, Penn. Snowdon’s Funeral Home, Shavertown, is in charge of the arrangements.