John Gale, MS

I have spent my entire career in health care and I cannot imagine working in any other field. I am a senior health policy and services researcher at the Maine Rural Health Research Center at the University of Southern Maine. My research focuses on rural health care delivery systems including rural health clinic and critical access hospitals; mental health, substance use, and primary care services; behavioral health and primary care integration; and program planning and evaluation. I serve on the Boards of Trustees for the National Rural Health Association and New England Rural Health Roundtable as well as their Government Affairs and Policy Committees. I am also a Senior Fellow of the Health Research and Educational Trust of the American Hospital Association. My work with the Research Center has provided me with the privilege of working with rural providers, stakeholders, and community members across the country.

Prior to joining the Research Center, I served as a senior manager with large primary care and multi-specialty behavioral health practices. Most recently, I served as a lead consultant in the preparation of a rural substance use treatment, prevention, and recovery tool kit for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

My wife Lisa and I live in Portland. In my spare time, I am a masters and marathon swimmer and participate in many open water events across the country.