MEET THE RHYTHMIA TEAM
HEALTHCARE IS PERSONAL. SO ARE WE.
Rhythmia is a small team built around a simple idea:
Healthcare works better when people have the time and space to actually know one another.
We each bring different experiences and perspectives to the practice, but we're united by a belief in thoughtful care, genuine connection, and creating a healthcare experience that feels a little more human.
We're glad you're here.
SARAH JOHNSON, DO
Owner // Family Practice Physician
Most of my patients call me Dr. Sal.
I created Rhythmia because I wanted to practice medicine in a way that leaves room for the things I believe matter most: time, curiosity, connection, and the stories that make each of us who we are.
I love caring for people of all ages and often have the privilege of caring for entire families. I believe that understanding someone's health means understanding more than their medical history. Their experiences, relationships, goals, challenges, and stories all deserve a place in the conversation.
My approach to medicine is rooted in prevention, lifestyle, and collaboration. I see healthcare as a team effort between patient and physician. My role is to listen, share what I know, help you understand your options, and work with you to make decisions that feel right for your life.
I also believe that you know your body better than anyone else. Good healthcare should make room for that knowledge.
Outside of medicine, I'm a songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist and perform in Portland-based rock band, The Crowded Table. Music and creativity have always been an important part of my life, and they've deeply influenced the way I think about health and human connection.
I'm fascinated by the creative act—why we create, how creativity connects us to one another, and the ways that art, expression, and community can contribute to our health and well-being.
I've lived in Portland for the past several years and have fallen in love with the creative energy and community that make this city so special. I care deeply about supporting the artists, musicians, makers, and other creative people who give Portland its character.
Rhythmia grew from the intersection of these worlds: health, creativity, community, and connection.
My hope is to create accessible, relatable care for people who may have been looking for something a little outside the box—and to encourage my patients to see the beauty in stepping outside the box themselves.
CHRIS JOHNSON
Business Manager
I'm grateful to be part of Rhythmia and the community it serves.
Over the years, I've worked in a variety of roles supporting people through experiences centered around growth, adventure, education, and personal development. I've worked as a guide and educator and have spent time in environments where strong relationships, thoughtful planning, and the ability to adapt are essential.
I've also had the privilege of exploring different cultures and perspectives through travel. Those experiences have shaped how I connect with people and strengthened my appreciation for community, collaboration, and the many different ways people move through the world.
At Rhythmia, I focus on the systems and operations that support a thoughtful, patient-centered practice. My role is largely behind the scenes—helping create the structure, organization, and day-to-day flow that allows the clinical team to focus their energy where it belongs: on patients.
I enjoy the challenge of taking many moving pieces and finding ways to make them work better together. Strong organization, independent problem-solving, leadership, and attention to quality are a big part of what I bring to the practice.
It's been inspiring to watch Sal's vision for Rhythmia take shape and become part of the community here in Portland. I'm grateful to play a role in building a practice that brings together health, creativity, and community in a way that feels genuinely different.
For me, Rhythmia represents an opportunity to contribute to a community I care about while helping create an environment where people can feel supported in becoming healthier, happier, and more fully themselves.
JACQUELINE WELLS, RN
Registered Nurse
If we cross paths at Rhythmia, I'm probably the one about to draw your blood. But these days, you'll find me doing a whole lot more than that.
I've been a nurse for seven years, and I split my time between Rhythmia and the Interventional Cardiology Unit at MaineHealth, where I care for patients during some of their most critical moments.
My path to nursing wasn't exactly straightforward.
I graduated from the University of New England with a degree in Medical Biology and originally planned on going to PA school. After college, though, I found myself completely immersed in the nursing world—working as an ER scribe, CNA, medical assistant, and EMT.
Somewhere along the way, I realized it wasn't PA school I was after.
It was nursing.
I was drawn to the hands-on care, the bedside connections, and the privilege of being there for people in real time. That realization brought me back to UNE for their accelerated nursing program, and I've never looked back.
At Rhythmia, I get to be part of the full patient experience. I love the combination of clinical care and the everyday human interactions that happen in the office—getting to know patients, helping them feel comfortable, and being one of the familiar faces they can turn to when they need something.
I'm passionate about the work I do and especially about making people feel cared for and at ease. I think good nursing is about more than getting the clinical pieces right. It's about listening, paying attention, and meeting people where they are.
I'm truly thrilled to be part of Rhythmia. Not just because I adore Dr. Sal as a provider, but because she's created such a beautiful, thoughtful, and creative practice for her patients.
I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this team and can't wait to get to know you—whether we're chatting on the couch, getting you ready for your visit, or making sure I only leave you with one tiny poke.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine · Biddeford, ME
Family Medicine Residency
Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency · Augusta, ME
Undergraduate Degree
Bachelor of Science in Biology · Boston College · Boston, MA
CREDENTIALS
Board Certified in Family Medicine
American Board of Family Medicine
Licensed Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine
Attending Hospitalist
Northern Light Mercy Hospital · Portland, ME
SMALL TEAM. REAL CONNECTION.
We're intentionally small.
We work together, we know our patients, and we believe healthcare works best when the people involved actually know one another. Every person on our team brings something different to Rhythmia. Together, we create the structure, clinical care, communication, and connection that make the practice what it is. You won't find an endless maze of departments or a revolving door of unfamiliar faces here.
We're a small team.
We know each other.
We work together.
And we look forward to getting to know you.