District Rotarian Profile
Interview with Dr. Lisa Ryan, President, Bridgton-Lake Region RC
By: Carol Madsen, Editor, District Newsletter, Member Bridgton-Lake Region RC
Madsen: Thank you so much for meeting and agreeing to talk with me. First let’s start with how you became interested in Rotary.
Ryan: I was visiting organizations talking about “Choosing Wisely”, an effort of the American Medical Association working with Quality Counts. The iniative means to empower patients to take a more active role in their wellbeing and health care. I was under the impression that Rotary was pretty much a men’s business organization and thought it was a good place to talk about this initiative in the local community. That was my first experience with Rotary.
Through my association with the Maine Medical Association, Rotarian Dr. Bob Chagrasulis invited me to join him and the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club Rotarian Mody Botros on a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic. My daughter was part of the Interact Club and she would be going on this trip also. It was such a wonderful experience for us both that I returned to the Dominical Republic the next two years for Rotary trips and after the third trip I realized that I began to wonder why I was not part of the BLRRC. A Rotarian on the trip asked the same question and I said “sign me up!”
Madsen: It sounds like you were very involved in service even before becoming a Rotarian?
Ryan: Yes, since I started medical school I have been very interested in community service and have been involved with a lot of different medical associations. I’ve had a passion for service for a long time.
Madsen: Tell me a little bit about your background.
Ryan: I grew up in New Jersey. I wanted to be a Pediatrician all my life. I went to medical school on Long Island at New York College of Ostepathic Medicine which is part of the New York Institute of Technology. I did my residency training in New Jersey and Vermont. I fell in love with New England and have been here since, first in NH and in Maine for the last 27 years. Along with practicing General Pediatrics I have volunteered for the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, The Maine Medical Association and nationally for the American Academy of Pediatrics. I am the school physician for a local elementary school and currently sit on the Board of Osteopathic Medical Licensure. With my hospital’s affiliations with the Tuft’s Medical School and the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) I am able to serve as a preceptor for medical students. On a personal note I am the proud mother of two adult children. My son Cole is an entrepreneur following his dream and living in Portland. My daughter Lauren started medical school at UNECOM this July.
Madsen: What roles have you played in Rotary?
Ryan: I’ve been Foundation Chair for several years and was asked to join the District as part of their District Grant Review team in 2023. I have helped to coordinate our club’s Rotary Golf Classic for the last 3 years. It is our biggest fundraiser, so very important to our club. I will assume the Presidency of the club on July 1, 2024, and have agreed to hold the position for two years. In the lead up to that, I have chaired the Community Services Committee for the past year.
Madsen: What are some of your goals for your Presidency?
Ryan: I will have an emphasis on Food Insecurity, Literacy and Veterans. We typically will host four Community Kettles during the year and are hoping to increase the number. Over the years we have supported local food pantries, helped in maintenance of the Community Gardens and are looking at how to address food insecurity that our Elementary school students may be experiencing. We are waiting to hear about a District Literacy grant and have provided all 3rd grade students with a dictionary for a number of years. The BLRRC has established 4 Little Free Libraries in several towns over this past year and hopefully we can expand this program. I would like to see our Club partner more with the local schools and organizations. The Friends of Rotary (people in the community who are interested in being involved with activities and projects) was formed during COVID and continues to be very engaged with our Club. I would love to see that group grow.
Madsen: Any closing remarks.
Ryan: I’ve always been very active in professional organizations and interested in meeting the health care needs of families. Service Above Self is the foundation of Rotary and something I feel very passionate about. The members of the BLRRC are an amazing group of individuals who are also passionate about Service Above Self. I am so excited to lead this club over the next two years as we step up our service in the community, engage local youth, support Veterans and work on a global grant project internationally. The theme for Rotary International is The Magic of Rotary and BLRRC is going to create some magic for sure!
Want to profile a Rotarian in your Club? Let us know and we will highlight them here. Reach out to Carol at RotaryNews7780@gmail.com.