03/30/2026
Meet Dr. Nadia Mendiola, MD, Medical Director and Pediatric Psychiatrist at Northern Light Acadia Hospital!
"I am truly humbled that people trust me with some of the hardest aspects of their lives at usually the hardest parts of their life. It is hard to fathom that because of my chosen profession, people have the trust to speak truths that they have never spoken out loud before. To be vulnerable is one of the hardest parts of being human and I get to be a part of building a person’s trust to be vulnerable and help them. Very humbling."
We asked Dr. Mendiola why she chose Maine and Northern Light Health. She told us, "I am from Texas and moved here with my husband to experience a different lifestyle. Since moving we have started our family and couldn’t be more settled. To breathe fresh air, travel easily to nature for hiking, skiing, swimming, star gazing, or anything else my family wants, is a stark difference from our life in Texas. We are happy our kids live in a place where they can be introduced to healthier lifestyle.
Before coming to Northern Light Health, I was a part of a system that focused more on RVUs and length of stay of hospitalizations. Though I know all the physicians in those systems were giving the best care they could, I have found that I can provide a deeper level of care at Northern Light Health to the people in our community. The organization is open to changes and working towards progress and growth, which has opened our ability to improve care."
We also asked her what piece of advice she would give to aspiring doctors. "To people considering becoming a physician, I would recommend reflecting on reasons for wanting to pursue this career path as a way to serve the community. There are sometimes grandiose thoughts and wishes when starting the process of becoming a physician. Being a physician includes having multiple demands from patients, individual hospital/clinic systems, state and federal politics, and more, all the while being asked to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and knowledge. It is necessary to reflect on reasons for becoming a physician to develop an internal guide on ways to find wellness and balance in order to stay steady in the ability to care for the community. Prior to starting this journey, I would recommend rooting oneself in ways to manage wellness and self-reflection to help strengthen the ability to receive critical feedback. If wellness and purpose are balanced, becoming a physician can be one of the most challenging, exciting, and rewarding professions to tie your life to."
Thank you Dr. Mendiola for all YOU do for our friends, family, and communities! We are thankful for you each and every day!