Charmaine Patel

Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Northern Light Acadia Hospital

Charmaine Patel, MD is the chief medical officer for Northern Light Acadia Hospital. She also serves as president of the Medical Staff at Acadia, and chief of the Behavioral Health Service Line for Northern Light Health.

In her role as the chief medical officer, Dr. Patel manages the quality of medical care provided within the hospital, ensuring that care is aligned with best practices and latest regulatory standards. She leads the medical staff with a philosophy of care that uses a patient-centered approach, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, collaboration, and creative solutions. Dr. Patel believes that great healthcare organization begins with a psychologically safe workplace environment that supports staff wellness, as this sets the best foundation for each individual to provide the best possible care. She believes everyone in healthcare is both a lifelong learner and teacher; reflecting this commitment, she was honored with the AADPRT George Ginsberg Fellowship Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Richard A. Bernstein Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Dr. Patel is a strong proponent of Northern Light Health's psychiatry residency program, ensuring a comprehensive curriculum for the next generation of psychiatrists.  She served as the chief resident of her residency program before coming to work at Acadia Hospital as an adult inpatient psychiatrist. 

Prior to becoming chief medical officer in June 2025, Dr. Patel served as the medical director of Adult Inpatient Services at Acadia Hospital for 8 years.

Education

Psychiatry Residency – University of Vermont College of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine – University of Vermont College of Medicine
Bachelors of Science in Biology, minors in Chemisty and Studio Art – University of Maine, Orono