William Dirkes, MD, FAAEM

Board-certified in Emergency Medicine. CEO of Balanse, Inc.

Why I built Balanse

In emergency medicine, you see the end result of preventable injuries. Falls in older adults are a recurring example: a single slip can start a cascade of setbacks. I started Balanse to help make balance practice safer, simpler, and consistent enough to stick.

The goal is not perfection. It is confidence, habits, and fewer people needing an ER visit for a fall.

What I do at Balanse

Clinical review

I review health-related claims and safety language for clarity and accuracy, with a focus on older-adult fall risk and realistic at-home training.

Safety-first product decisions

I prioritize conservative guidance, clear warnings, and friction-reducing design so users can practice with confidence.

Evidence standards

We cite our sources, prefer peer-reviewed evidence when available, and avoid overstating what training can do.

Clear boundaries

Our content provides training guidance and education. It is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

Training and education

Emergency Medicine training (2016)
Madigan Army Medical Center
Doctor of Medicine (2013)
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Undergraduate studies (2009)
Washington University in St. Louis, Biology and Computer Science (computational genomics track)

Medical disclaimer

Balanse content and SteadyUp provide training guidance and educational information. They do not replace care from your clinician. If you have a medical concern, symptoms, or a higher risk of falls, talk with a licensed healthcare professional.