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Douglas W. Ball

Douglas W. Ball, MD

Endocrinology

Diagnostic Radiology

Accepting New Patients
Online Booking
4.9 of 5 stars244 ratings, 93 reviews

Highlights

Languages

  • English

Gender

Male

Johns Hopkins Affiliations:

  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty

About Douglas W. Ball

Primary Academic Title

Associate Professor of Medicine

Background

Dr. Douglas Ball is an associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He holds a joint appointment in oncology. His areas of clinical expertise include diagnostic radiology, endocrine oncology, thyroid cancer and thyroid diseases. 

Dr. Ball earned his M.D. from the George Washington University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Pittsburgh-Presbyterian University Hospital and performed a fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism at Johns Hopkins. 

His research interests include medullary thyroid cancer, differentiated thyroid cancer and anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Additional Academic Titles

Associate Professor of Oncology

Research Interests

anaplastic thyroid cancer, differentiated thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer

Lab Website

Douglas Ball Lab

  • The Douglas Ball Lab conducts clinical trials and pre-clinical laboratory studies of thyroid cancer. Our clinical trials, performed in collaboration with research staff in the upper aero-digestive group in the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, have included protocols for advanced radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer and medullary thyroid cancer. Our pre-clinical research, conducted with Dr. Nelkin, Dr. Agrawal and other Kimmel Cancer Center researchers, includes pathogenesis and mechanisms of treatment resistance in medullary thyroid cancer, and pathogenesis and immune-directed therapy of anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Research Summary

Dr. Ball is an endocrinologist who is involved in clinical trials and pre-clinical laboratory studies in thyroid cancer. His clinical trials have included protocols for advanced radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer and medullary thyroid cancer. These studies are performed in collaboration with research staff in the upper aero-digestive group in the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Dr. Ball is associate protocol chair and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Thyroid Oncology Group (ITOG). He's developed national trials through this cooperative group. A focus of these clinical trials is the role of multikinase inhibitors, and inhibitors of the RAS-RAF-MAPK and PI3K pathways.

In pre-clinical research, Dr. Ball collaborates with Dr. Nelkin, Dr. Agrawal and others in the cancer biology division of the Kimmel Cancer Center. The principal areas of this research include pathogenesis and mechanisms of treatment resistance in medullary thyroid cancer, and pathogenesis and immune-directed therapy of anaplastic thyroid cancer. Recent studies have also focused on targeting the RAS-RAF-MAPK and PI3K pathways in differentiated thyroid cancer. This work is supported by the NIH and American Cancer Society.

Selected Publications

  • Agrawal N, Jiao Y, Sausen M, Leary R, Bettegowda C, Roberts N, Bhan S, Ho AS, Khan Z, Bishop J, Westra WH, Wood LD, Hruban RH, Tufano RP, Robinson B, Dralle H, Toledo SPA, Toledo RA, Morris LGT, Ghossein R, Fagin JA, Chan TA, Velculescu VA, Vogelstein B, Kinzler KW, PapadopoulosN, Nelkin BD, and Ball DW. Exomic sequencing of medullary thyroid cancer reveals dominant and mutually exclusive oncogenic mutations in RET and RAS. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 98:E364-9, 2013.

  • Elisei R, Schlumberger M, Mueller S, Schoffski P, Brose M, Shah M, Licitra L, Jarzab B, Medvedev V, Kreissl M, Niederle B, Cohen E, Wirth L, Ali H, Hessel C, Yaron Y, Ball D Nelkin B, Sherman S. Cabozantinib in Progressive Medullary Thyroid Cancer. J Clin Oncol, 31:3639-46, 2013.

  • Jin N, Jiang T, Rosen DN, Nelkin BD, Ball DW . Synergistic action of a RAF inhibitor and dual PI-3 Kinase / mTOR inhibitor in thyroid cancer. Clin Can Res 17:6482-9, 2011.

  • Wilky BA, Rudek MA, Ahmed S, Laheru DA, Cosgrove D, Donehower RC, Nelkin B, Ball DW, Doyle LA, Chen H, Ye X, Azad N. A Phase I trial of vertical inhibition of IGF signaling using cixutumumab, an anti-IGF1-R antibody, and selumetinib, a MEK 1/2 inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors, British Journal of Cancer, 2014, in press.

Locations

  1. Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
    • 601 North Caroline Street, Floor 7, Baltimore, MD 21287
    • Skip Viragh Outpatient Cancer Center
      • 201 North Broadway Street, Viragh BLDG 5th FL, Baltimore, MD 21287
      • Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
        • 10751 Falls Road, Falls Concourse STE 412, Lutherville, MD 21093

        Expertise

        Education

        Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

        Fellowship, Endocrinology, 1991

        University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

        Residency, Internal Medicine, 1987

        The George Washington University School of Medicine

        Medical Education, MD, 1984

        Board Certifications

        Internal Medicine

        American Board of Internal Medicine, 1987

        Insurance

        Johns Hopkins providers accept various commercial health insurance plans. However, they may not be included in all of an insurance company's plans or offerings. This may include Exchange, Medicaid, Medicare, and specific limited benefit plans. Exceptions to participation also exist based on your employer’s benefits package and the provider's location or specialty. Please contact your insurer directly to make sure your doctor is covered by your plan. For more details, please review our Insurance Information.
        Search plans
        • Aetna
        • CareFirst
        • Cigna
        • First Health
        • Geisinger Health Plan
        • HealthSmart/Accel
        • Humana
        • Johns Hopkins Health Plans
        • MultiPlan
        • Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
        • Point Comfort Underwriters
        • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
        • UnitedHealthcare
        • Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)

        Ratings & Reviews

        4.9 out of 5

        244 ratings, 93 reviews

        The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

        Overall Rating by Patient
        Average provider Overall Rating by Patient rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
        Provider Listened Carefully
        Average provider Provider Listened Carefully rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
        Provider Explained Things Clearly
        Average provider Provider Explained Things Clearly rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
        Provider Knew Medical History
        Average provider Provider Knew Medical History rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
        Provider Showed Respect
        Average provider Provider Showed Respect rating 5 out of 5 stars
        Provider Spent Enough Time
        Average provider Provider Spent Enough Time rating 5 out of 5 stars
        Search reviews
          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 3/17/2025

          Thanks

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/21/2025

          Dr. Ball is the best Endocrine in the world with professional and kindness.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/18/2025

          Excellent care,

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/13/2025

          Dr Ball is great. I wouldn't be driving up from Virginia to see him if he wasnt.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/7/2025

          Excellent doctor, listens to my concerns, explains things in a way I can understand.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/6/2025

          Takes his time to cover everything.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/6/2025

          He explains and shows the changes in my thyroid. It has doubled in size, the nodule under the clavicle which is difficult to see.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/31/2025

          Dr. Ball is a wonderful physician. He is an expert in his field. He listens and provides compassionate care.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/23/2025

          Very nice. Explained everything to me. Took his time and listened.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/22/2025

          Dr Ball s very capable, very caring and thorough.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/21/2025

          I was comfortable with his questions,responses, and answers. I felt he was thorough and confident

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/14/2025

          Dr. Ball is the best. He is attentive, concerned and is completely familiar with my history. He is an expert who is renowned in his field. It is so comforting to have him as my doctor and receive the best possible care.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/14/2025

          Dr. Ball is a friendly professional. He's strives to assure the patient receives best quality care

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/9/2025

          Dr. Ball provided a comprehensive check-up and was assisted by [staff]. Their level of care was excellent and they completed a thorough evaluation.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/7/2025

          Dr. Ball is a wonderful doctor and shows he really cares about his patients.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/2/2025

          Dr. Ball is wonderful

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/26/2024

          Doctor Ball is patient and very thorough in his care for me as a patient. My case is difficult for my care team so I appreciate his honesty and the delivery of information.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/19/2024

          Dr Ball is an exceptional clinician and person.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/18/2024

          Very thorough and kind..

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/17/2024

          Dr. Ball is an exceptional provider.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/12/2024

          Attentive to my concerns

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/11/2024

          Very pleased with my visit.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/9/2024

          Vert familiar with my situation and always ready to make suggestions

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/5/2024

          Very thorough, knowledgeable and takes time to listen and explain patients concerns.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/3/2024

          A great doctor and assistants.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 11/20/2024

          Dr Ball is truly a blessing to me!!! I am SO grateful that I have him for my Endocrinologist!!

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 11/13/2024

          Dr. Ball had followed me and my condition for several years. He was and still is one of the finest doctors who follow my situation. His recall of the many years of interface is amazing. His warmth and concern for my situation is beyond just as a patient, and truly cares for my continuing health and progress.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 11/13/2024

          Professional and very friendly always

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 11/13/2024

          Dr Ball is an exceptional medical doctor. He is professional, friendly and a good listener. He did not hurry through the appointment. He answered my questions and explained my condition and possible treatment. He made me feel comfortable.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 11/7/2024

          Dr. Ball is very knowledgeable in the area of Medullary thyroid cancer. He is very thorough and does not rush you during appointments. During my visit, he stayed past the time the office closed to address any questions and concerns we had.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 11/7/2024

          Dr. Ball is amazing. Knowledgeable and personable.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 11/5/2024

          Dr. Ball is great.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/30/2024

          Dr. Ball is great! He is very knowledgeable and takes plenty of time to ensure you understand your diagnosis, health issues, etc.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/30/2024

          Dr. Ball is so attentive and always takes time to answer my many questions. Never seems to be in a hurry to rush me out the door. AMAZING!

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/29/2024

          Wonderful provider!

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/23/2024

          Dr Douglas Ball is truly attentive , intelligent , and caring Dr . He listens and never feel he is rushing through your case.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/8/2024

          As always, Dr. Ball was wonderful. He is very knowledgeable and takes good care of his patients.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/8/2024

          Very concerned and does everything to treat my condition while maintaining an acceptable quality of life for me.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/7/2024

          Great Doctor

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/7/2024

          Dr Ball is awesome

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/2/2024

          He, was very patient, caring and knowledgeable about my illness and moving forward.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/19/2024

          He' great,

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/19/2024

          Very knowledgeable and listened to you

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/19/2024

          Dr. Ball is wonderful. Kind, compassionate, knows my history and illness thoroughly. Answers all my questions. Very knowledgeable about thyroid cancers

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/17/2024

          He is always professional and knows MTC!

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/12/2024

          Doctor D.B. Was amazing. He presented him self as a real professional in all the senses of the word. He is an expert in his matter and much more. He took his time to answer to my questions with a certain precision. Beside, he being on of the best and he should be one of the leading professional in his field.About Doctor D. B. Myself and my daughter, we were impressed with him as an excellent professional. He has Beautiful and outstanding personality that anybody would like him.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/9/2024

          Seems like a very nice Dr.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/6/2024

          Dr Ball is professional and caring. He addressed all my questions and concerns. I feel very fortunate to have him as my doctor.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/5/2024

          We have been seeing Dr Ball for 16 years and he has been a real blessing to us in guiding us in proper medication and caring about my health issues , very pleased with his knowledge and care for me.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/4/2024

          They went over my information carefully and asked me lots of questions to understand my case.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/29/2024

          Dr Ball is walking me through cancer checks & balances

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/29/2024

          Beyond excellent -- knowledgeable, thoughtful, empathetic.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/27/2024

          A nice man and excellent doctor

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/22/2024

          Dr. Ball is my Endocrinologist, but I consider him my go to doctor for everything, because it all connects and he knows who to refer me to when needed. I have the utmost respect and confidence in Dr. Ball. I would feel lost without him actually.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/5/2024

          Very good Dr

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/5/2024

          Great physician - takes time to answer questions and empathetic

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/2/2024

          I am very blessed to have Dr. Douglas Ball taking care of me.He is the reason Iam still alive.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/31/2024

          Dr. Ball is thorough and informative.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/30/2024

          Patient, understanding, informative

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/29/2024

          JH is always very organized, and the scheduled appointments are always right on time or early.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/24/2024

          Very knowledgeable and caring willing to listen to and trust patient's input

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/24/2024

          He is very insightful. He clarified and added to my knowledge, and that was the best I could expect to hear. He made recommendations and explained in detail reasoning for each one.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/24/2024

          Dr Ball is the single best doctor I have ever had. He is truly extraordinary in how he combines his wealth of knowledge and experience with an ability to communicate effectively, and a lovely bedside manner. Really fantastic.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/22/2024

          Dr. Ball is very knowledgeable. He is very thorough and cares.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/18/2024

          He is very caring. Dr. Ball took care to listen carefully and to analyze my daughter's health carefully.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/16/2024

          Great visit.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/5/2024

          Kind, knowledgeable, patient and seems to be very through

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/1/2024

          My Provider always make.sure we understand everything that we talks about.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/28/2024

          Exceptional and excellent.

          4 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/25/2024

          Dr Ball is exceptional.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/24/2024

          Dr. Ball is an excellent provider.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/20/2024

          Dr. Ball is awesome. I arrived early due my appointment and was walking out of the building 11 minutes after my scheduled time

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/12/2024

          Dr. Ball was very patient, kind and took the time to explain my condition in detail. He listened to what I had to say and answered my questions and concerns.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/20/2024

          Excellent dr for many years.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/16/2024

          Very pleasant, detailed and informative

          4 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/14/2024

          I am just now getting to know him. He is well-versed in the tests and treatment options.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/9/2024

          Dr. Ball was very thorough and spent plenty of time explaining things in a way I was able to understand. He welcomed my many questions and I never felt rushed or hurried.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/7/2024

          Always great medical visits. Doctor always late starting our appointments.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/2/2024

          Dr. Ball is an exceptional physician, is patient, and answered all my questions and ones I was thinking about and did not even ask.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/1/2024

          Dr. Ball explained everything to me. He took the time to make sure I understood and never did he rush me.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/1/2024

          Dr. Ball is respectful, helpful, professional, knowledgeable and easy to talk to.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/30/2024

          Great provider!

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/24/2024

          Dr Ball is very helpful in us understand our questions.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/16/2024

          Dr Ball is a very professional and very knowledgelable about my cancerD

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/15/2024

          Dr. Ball is a careful, respectful listener.He is completely transparent and explains things very well, showing me his computer screen with my records, and making helpful analogies to explain the disease process. He is also sensitive to my peripheral concerns as well as my direct disease process needs. He is the kind of person that helps Johns Hopkins earn its excellent world class reputation.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/11/2024

          He is a good man and seems to care about you.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/11/2024

          Dr. Ball's excellent medical care is only equaled by his lovely bedside manner. He is so wise and so kind, he is my favorite physician of all time.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/4/2024

          Excellent visit! Dr. Ball took ample time to talk with me on my first appointment with him.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/4/2024

          I have been with this provider for many, many years and I appreciate his expertise and care for my condition that he provides.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/3/2024

          Dr Ball is excellent. He takes his time and explains things well. He answers any questions that you may have.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/1/2024

          I am so grateful to have Dr Ball as my doctor. My family has a long-standing relationship with him and he continues to provide the highest level of care.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 3/29/2024

          Dr. Ball with the endocrinology department is top notch. He is a terrific listener and he anticipates questions about my care and answers my concerns.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 3/28/2024

          Dr. Ball has been my endocrinologist since fall of 2000. I have referred quite a few people to him over the years, and they have been very appreciative of his help as well