# Dr. Balman — The Patient in Room 18 character guide > Dr. Balman in The Patient in Room 18 by Mignon G. Eberhart. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Dr. Balman **First appearance:** 0001-the-patient-in-room-18 ## Snapshot The physician who steps into Dr. Letheny's place at St. Ann's, calm in his orders and evasive about a bruise on his cheek. ## Who they are Called to the hospital in the small hours, Balman takes charge of the nursing staff, doubles the night watches, and keeps the news from the patients with practiced composure. Yet his explanation for the bruise on his face — that he bumped it running through the apple orchard — lands oddly on Miss Keate's ear, and his decision to sleep on the office couch keeps him uncomfortably close to the scene. He is the steady hand the hospital needs and, at the same time, a man whose movements that night do not quite add up. ## Relationships ### [Maida Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/maida_day) _professional_ Dr. Balman interacts with Maida Day in a professional capacity, possibly as a physician or investigator. ### [Corole Letheny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/corole_letheny) _professional_ Corole and Dr. Balman have a professional dynamic, likely involving medical or investigative matters. ### [Dr. Fred Hajek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/dr_fred_hajek) _professional_ Dr. Balman and Dr. Hajek are colleagues, likely working together in a medical setting. ### [Jim Gainsay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/jim_gainsay) _professional_ Dr. Balman and Jim Gainsay have a professional relationship, possibly involving medical consultation or investigation. ### [Maida Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/maida_day) _professional_ Dr. Balman interacts with Maida Day in a professional capacity, possibly as a physician or investigator. ### [Jim Gainsay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/jim_gainsay) _professional_ Dr. Balman and Jim Gainsay have a professional relationship, possibly involving medical consultation or investigation. ### [Dr. Fred Hajek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/dr_fred_hajek) _professional_ Dr. Balman and Dr. Hajek are colleagues, likely working together in a medical setting. ### [Corole Letheny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/corole_letheny) _professional_ Corole and Dr. Balman have a professional dynamic, likely involving medical or investigative matters. ### [Corole Letheny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/corole_letheny) _professional_ Corole and Dr. Balman have a professional dynamic, likely involving medical or investigative matters. ### [Jim Gainsay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/jim_gainsay) _professional_ Dr. Balman and Jim Gainsay have a professional relationship, possibly involving medical consultation or investigation. ### [Maida Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/maida_day) _professional_ Dr. Balman interacts with Maida Day in a professional capacity, possibly as a physician or investigator. ### [Dr. Fred Hajek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/dr_fred_hajek) _professional_ Dr. Balman and Dr. Hajek are colleagues, likely working together in a medical setting. ## In the story ### [The Patient in Room 18](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/the-patient-in-room-18) The attending physician, whose demeanor suggests he knows more than he reveals about the patient. ### [I: An Unpleasant Dinner Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/i-an-unpleasant-dinner-party) Absorbed in dinner and his laboratory work; expresses bitterness about wasted hospital funds. ### [II: In Room 18](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/ii-in-room-18) Arrives at the hospital; confirms death by morphine overdose. ### [III: Dr. Letheny Does Not Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/iii-dr-letheny-does-not-return) Dr. Letheny's assistant, present in the main office with the board of directors and police. ### [IV: A Yellow Slicker and Other Problems](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/iv-a-yellow-slicker-and-other-problems) Takes over Dr. Letheny's duties; mentions bruise from running through the orchard; plans to sleep at the hospital. ### [VII: The Disappearing Key and Part of an Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/vii-the-disappearing-key-and-part-of-an-inquest) Testifies about the causes of death, appears haggard from fatigue and worry. ### [A Gold Sequin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/viii-a-gold-sequin) Assigns Mr. Gastin to Room 18; testifies about his movements after the dinner party. ### [Under the Barberry Bush](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/ix-under-the-barberry-bush) Mentioned as having a bruise on his face; O'Leary confirms his alibi via the elevator man. ### [X: A Midnight Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/x-a-midnight-visitor) Arrives with Dr. Hajek; takes charge of the situation, checks Mr. Gastin's pulse, and supports moving the patient. ### [XIV: A Matter of Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/xiv-a-matter-of-evidence) Finds O'Leary unconscious with Dr. Hajek; expresses distress over ongoing events. ### [XVI: The Red Light Above the Door](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/xvi-the-red-light-above-the-door) Discusses the tense atmosphere in the hospital with Sarah; appears weary. ### [O'Leary Tells a Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/xvii-o-leary-tells-a-story) Revealed as the murderer of Higgins and the true mastermind, arrested with handcuffs. ### [XVIII: O’Leary Revises His Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/chapters/xviii-o-leary-revises-his-story) Revealed as the murderer and radium thief; dies later from an infection in his bruise. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters/dr_balman - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_patient_in_room_18_se/characters