Dr. Oleg Balter is a family medicine physician at WFMC Health who believes deeply in connection, continuity, and caring for the whole person. He brings a thoughtful, grounded approach to caring for individuals and families across all stages of life.

His Path Into Healthcare

Dr. Balter’s journey into medicine wasn’t a straight path, which is part of what shaped him.

Originally born in Belarus, he moved to the United States as a child and later completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas in Austin before attending medical school in San Antonio. During medical school, he joined the Navy and completed his residency in San Diego, gaining experience in full-scope family medicine.

But medicine wasn’t his first declared path.

“I had a lot of forks in the road during college,” he shared. “So I came in wanting to do engineering and then didn’t like math so much. And then try to do law and then didn’t really like arguing so much. So yeah, then I decided to do culinary school. And I think medicine was just something that felt right.”

Ultimately, it was both instinct and purpose that led him forward.

“I enjoy the human aspect of it. And I enjoy the challenges and the puzzles that come my way.”

After completing his service in the Navy, Dr. Balter came to Oregon for a locum position (a temporary or contract-based position) and found something that felt like home. “I tried to do another locum’s job somewhere else and came back here because I liked it.”

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His Role at WFMC Health

Dr. Balter was hired to practice full-scope family medicine, a model of care that allows him to treat patients of all ages and address a wide range of health needs.

“It’s pretty hard to find a job that actually does full scope family medicine these days,” he explained. “I get to do everything here.”

That means caring for children, adults, and seniors. It means performing procedures. And it means growing alongside the clinic.

“I get to see all ages. I get to participate in the clinic’s growth. I get to do procedures.”

He’s also looking ahead to expanding services. “We’re probably going to start doing vasectomies here in March and hopefully that’s just the beginning of more procedures.”

Dr. Balter also speaks Russian and has been able to connect with Russian-speaking patients in their native language. “My Russian is a little rusty, but I’ve had some Russian patients here. I still have a translator, but I usually can get by speaking with them.”

“I think people are looking for compassion and people are looking for human connection.”

How He Cares for Patients

For Dr. Balter, patient care starts with presence.

“I want them to feel taken care of and listened to,” he said. “So I don’t want them to feel neglected. I want them to feel that they were heard. I want them to feel that their problems matter. And I want them to leave thinking that’s going to happen the next visit too.”

He understands that each patient comes in with different needs and expectations, but he believes some things are universal.

“I think people are looking for compassion and people are looking for human connection. And I think people are looking for some patience and somebody…that’s there for them and present for their medical journey, whatever that may be.”

One of the aspects he values most about family medicine is long-term relationship building.

“I really like seeing a lot of the same people over and over again,” he shared. “It’s fun to get in there and talk to them about their personal life and chitchat a little bit… and they can leave feeling like they had a good personal encounter, not just a doctor’s visit.”

Over time, those relationships deepen. “These people become your family after some time.”

What You Can Expect as a Patient

As a patient of Dr. Balter’s, you can expect continuity, thoughtful listening, and a provider who values real conversation. Visits are opportunities for connection, not rushed checklists.

Because he practices full-scope family medicine, your care can grow and change with you. Whether you’re coming in for preventive care, managing a chronic condition, or navigating a new health concern, you’ll have a physician who sees the bigger picture and is committed to walking alongside you over time.

“It just feels good to be part of this organization that really feels like it has its ethics going in the right direction.”

Why WFMC Health Matters to Him

Dr. Balter speaks about WFMC Health with genuine respect for its mission and the people it serves.

“It’s an important place to work,” he said. “You look at the patients that we take care of here, and you look at the community that we’re part of… I think being here as a permanent primary care doctor is part of being part of the hardworking people of this area and Salem specifically.”

He values caring for those who need it most.

“We’re taking care of people who are definitely underserved and who definitely need medical attention.”

What stands out most to him is the heart behind the organization.

“It just feels good to be part of this organization that really feels like it has its ethics going in the right direction. Where I think a lot of things are about money, it doesn’t feel like that here. It feels like it’s more about the individuals and the people who work here and definitely the patients.”

A Little More About Dr. Balter

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Balter’s life is full—and growing.

“I just got married in November and now we’re expecting our first kid,” he shared. He and his wife recently bought a home with five acres, complete with “a bunch of chickens and four cats and two dogs and lots of green space.”

Health and wellness are central to his life. He’s an avid cyclist and has completed two half Ironmans.

“I think health is just a really big part of my life in general, health and eating well and feeling good. And I think that’s what I would like my patients to pick up on as well. I think leading by example is super important.”

These days, much of his free time goes toward home projects and farm life, but he still finds ways to stay active. “I’m doing a hundred pushups every day now since the beginning of the year.”

A Warm Welcome

For Dr. Balter, family medicine is about showing up consistently, compassionately, and with integrity. He’s looking forward to growing with WFMC Health and continuing to build lasting relationships with patients in the Salem community.

As he shared, there’s a sense of “feeling good about your work after you leave here at the end of the day.” That sense of purpose is something patients can feel, too.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re looking for a primary care physician who takes time to listen and partner with you, WFMC Health is accepting new patients.

Our team is here to support you and your family with compassionate, community-centered care. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact WFMC Health today.

Watch the video interview:

Watch the full Heart of Local interview with Dr. Balter here: