About Bala Family Practice

Our Commitment to Quality Care

Bala Family Practice is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate healthcare to individuals and families in the community. Our team of experienced healthcare professionals is committed to promoting the well-being of our patients through personalized care and evidence-based medicine. We strive to create a warm and welcoming environment where patients feel valued and respected.

Dr. Bala, M.D.

Founder & Medical Director, Bala Family Practice

Dr. Bala is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician and the founder of Bala Family Practice. With more than two decades of experience, he is deeply committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care to individuals and families throughout Harford County and the surrounding areas.

A 1991 graduate of Sri Ramachandra Medical College in Chennai, India, Dr. Bala moved to the United States to further his medical training. He earned a Master of Science in Pathology from the University of Texas in 1994, followed by an internship in Internal Medicine at Harlem Hospital in New York. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) in 1997, where he later served as a hospitalist for two years.

Dr. Bala also practiced as a staff physician with Kaiser Permanente from 1997 to 2003. In 1999, he joined Patient First and went on to serve as Assistant Medical Director of the Bel Air, MD center from 2006 to 2007.

Driven by a passion for preventive care and long-term patient relationships, Dr. Bala founded Bala Family Practice to provide comprehensive, personalized healthcare in a welcoming, community-based setting.

Noel Stallmann, CRNP

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Noel Stallmann is a highly skilled and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner committed to delivering comprehensive, personalized care to patients of all ages. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Towson University in 2006 and joined BFP in 2012 as the practice’s RN Manager. In 2016, she earned her CRNP license from Walden University and became board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Prior to her transition into primary care, Noel spent more than a decade in emergency and trauma medicine at University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Her extensive experience in high-acuity environments equips her with the clinical expertise to manage a wide range of acute and chronic health conditions with confidence and precision.

Known for her warm, patient-centered approach, Noel builds strong, trusting relationships with her patients. She is dedicated to delivering high-quality, individualized care that supports long-term wellness and improves quality of life.

Nicole Herpick, CRNP

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Nicole Herpick is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to individuals and families across all stages of life. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Towson University in 2012 and began her nursing career at Franklin Square Hospital, working in the Intermediate Care Unit (IMC) from 2012 to 2014.

Nicole went on to gain valuable experience in emergency medicine and trauma at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2014 to 2017, followed by specialized work in labor and delivery at Franklin Square from 2017 to 2019. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University in 2019 and became board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) the same year.

Nicole joined Bala Family Practice in 2019, where she has since been providing comprehensive primary care with a focus on preventative health, chronic disease management, and patient education. Her diverse clinical background and patient-centered approach allow her to deliver well-rounded, empathetic care tailored to each individual’s needs.

Tara McDonald, MSN, MHA, CRNP

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

With over 19 years of diverse nursing experience, Tara McDonald is a dedicated and accomplished healthcare professional known for her commitment to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care. Her clinical background includes neurotrauma at the University of Maryland Medical System’s Shock Trauma Center, as well as extensive work in transplant, medical-surgical telemetry, ICU, and nursing leadership.

Tara has served as a trusted preceptor for new graduate nurses and military personnel preparing for deployment, helping shape the next generation of healthcare providers with a focus on clinical excellence and compassionate care.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007, followed by a dual Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Health Administration (MSN/MHA) from the University of Phoenix in 2015. In July 2023, she completed a Post-Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner studies at Chamberlain University and became board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) as an FNP-C in September 2023.

Since joining our practice, Tara has been an invaluable team member, bringing a strong foundation of clinical expertise, leadership, and patient advocacy. She is passionate about providing holistic, evidence-based care to patients of all ages and is committed to improving health outcomes across the lifespan.