Radio Maine with Dr. Lisa Belisle Dr. Lisa Belisle

Raised in Winslow, Maine, Addiction Medicine specialist Dr. Nick Gallagher is the latest in a long line of family members to provide care for his community. He began his employment with the local hospital when he was a teenager, scrubbing floors and emptying trash cans, as a member of the environmental services team. After working his way through the University of Maine at Augusta, Nick went on to the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine. During his emergency medicine training, Nick saw firsthand the devastating impact of substance use disorder (SUD). This prompted Nick to pursue a fellowship in Addiction Medicine at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, before returning to practice in his home state. Now a medical director for the same hospital system in which he “grew up”--and where his mother worked for four decades– Nick stresses the importance of a compassionate, comprehensive, community-oriented approach to SUD. Join our conversation with Dr. Nick Gallagher today on Radio Maine.

Coffee by Design owner and co-founder Mary Allen Lindemann is a pioneering force in the coffee industry, and a longstanding supporter of arts and community in Maine.  Her deep connection to the state dates back to 1971, when her family first began summering on Chebeague Island in Casco Bay. Mary Allen would go on to pursue fashion marketing and advertising, before a chance intersection with Seattle’s specialty coffee scene seeded her desire to focus on what would become her life’s work. Portland-based Coffee By Design has flourished for three decades, and her leadership has shaped not only local culture, but also the global coffee landscape. As an advocate for sustainable sourcing, Mary Allen maintains direct connections with coffee farmers worldwide. Join our conversation with Mary Allen Lindemann today on Radio Maine.

Emerging artist Miriam Webber found her way back to art as a means to rediscover herself after becoming a mother. Miriam has long enjoyed painting and drawing. A friend who featured Miriam’s work at her local business catalyzed Miriam’s shift toward sharing her art publicly, and the subsequent sell-out show affirmed Miriam’s artistic path. Currently balancing her role as a mother and work as a hairstylist with her artistic pursuits, Miriam actively involves her son in her creative process. This collaboration has influenced her artwork, yielding imaginative pieces such as "Fruit Solar System.” Miriam draws on her knowledge of color theory to bring beauty to all aspects of her life: from people and painting, to interior spaces. Join our conversation with Miriam Webber today on Radio Maine with Dr. Lisa Belisle.

Dr. David Salko is a family physician and medical leader dedicated to community health. A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Dave completed his family medicine residency at Maine Medical Center in Portland. He and his wife, Jen, have four active children, whose interests range from ice hockey to art. Passionate about teaching, Dave mentors the next generation of health practitioners at the Topsham practice where he has worked since 2007. Dave is also a member of Central Maine Healthcare’s Board of Directors.  An avid runner and cyclist, Dave is a regular participant in the The Dempsey Challenge, a yearly run/walk/cycle event that raises money for the Dempsey Center, founded by actor Patrick Dempsey to help cancer patients and their families.  Join our conversation with Dr. David Salko today on Radio Maine.

Dianne Ballon is a sound artist. A graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, Dianne originally worked with visual mediums, but became intrigued by the creative possibilities of audio elements, and soon changed her focus to sound. Her current exhibit at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, titled Lost and Found: Sounds of the Maine Coast by Dianne Ballon, features local soundscape essentials such as buoys and  foghorns.  Previously a member of the teaching and production staff at the University of Maine in Augusta, Dianne looks for the right locale, and the perfect circumstances, to record audio of the highest possible quality. She has a particular love for the sounds of nature, which intersects with another of her favorite pastimes: birding. Join our conversation with Dianne Ballon today on Radio Maine.

An experienced leader across various industries, Alex Sydnor brings a unique perspective to the healthcare sector, where he has served as a Chief Strategy Officer for more than a decade. With a background in education and the arts, Alex recognizes the pivotal role creativity plays in problem-solving. Alex emphasizes the value of cross-disciplinary ideas, and encourages a culture that embraces diverse viewpoints. He champions and practices effective group facilitation as a means of fostering communication and visioning within teams. True to his creative roots, Alex believes in the power of narrative and storytelling to enable a deeper understanding of patient experiences and drive positive change in healthcare. Join our conversation with Alex Sydnor today on Radio Maine.