Where are they now? Olivier Balló
We recently reached out to invite some of our alumni to be part of a special spotlight series to help us honor the legacy of the past 25 years and inspire the next generation of Ridgeview students. Olivier Balló, a foreign exchange student in 2003-'04, wrote to us from his hometown in Germany. As a visiting student, he experienced Ridgeview from a unique perspective.
He shares that his time at Ridgeview was truly life-changing. Read Olivier’s story below:
“My year as an exchange student at Ridgeview was truly a life-changing experience. The time I spent there continues to shape me to this day — in my pursuit of excellence, in my self-confidence, and in my belief in goodness, morality, and integrity. Ridgeview was more than a school to me; it was a community that nurtured ambition, curiosity, and kindness. I will remain grateful to Ridgeview for the rest of my life and often think about one day sending my own children there as exchange students to experience the same spirit and inspiration that shaped me.”
My name is Olivier K. F. Ballo, and I am a specialist in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, and Gastroenterology, with a strong academic background and extensive experience in medical research and clinical practice.
From the beginning of my medical studies, I have been deeply engaged in scientific research. My doctoral work at the Department of Medicine II at the University Hospital Frankfurt, where I analyzed gene expression of SOCS proteins in leukemia cells, was a cornerstone of my scientific journey.
After completing my studies, I continued my career at the University Hospital Frankfurt, contributing to both clinical practice and medical education. I further specialized in Emergency Medicine, Palliative Care, Nutritional Medicine, Hematology, and Oncology, which broadened my professional scope. In 2022, I earned my habilitation, qualifying me to teach Internal Medicine.
In 2023, I was working at the Ballo & Böck Practice in Offenbach am Main and took on the leadership of the Center for Palliative Medicine at the Frankfurt Red Cross Clinics.
My clinical focus lies in holistic, compassionate care for patients with oncological and hematological diseases. I remain committed to lifelong learning and to providing the best possible care to every patient I serve.
