See our full range of
total body solutions
We provide a variety of solutions to address your total body beauty needs.
Staff
Our staff consists of many fine professionals who are eager to help. Below are short bios of each.
Dr. Branch
Dr. David Austin Branch grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of a large family. While his parents grew up in single parent homes, and knew financial hardship, they were both blessed with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit. They instilled these values in their own children, along with a duty to live up to one's potential in a positive way. They afforded their son with opportunities they did not have, profoundly affecting his life. As a student, Dr. Branch spent a summer in Costa Rica building latrines and teaching English. For various reasons, his aspirations, while in Costa Rica, changed from architecture to medicine. A year later, he had the unfortunate - but enlightening - experience of being hospitalized for a broken hip. As a patient, he came to know what it is like to be stripped of all dignity and control, and to be in need of caring support and information. During his hospitalization, he rushed to fill out his medical school applications, with the intention of pursuing the field of surgery. He eventually realized that Plastic Surgery was the one field that satisfied his need for creative thinking, much like architecture, as Plastic Surgery encompasses all ages and all parts of the body.
Dr. Branch attended the University of Alabama School of Medicine, where he met his wife. They began a long, eight-year training venture, during which time they were blessed with three children. He then trained for five years in General Surgery, at the University of Virginia, and - subsequently - Maine Medical Center. He left Portland, Maine, for Cleveland, where he trained for two years in Plastic Surgery under the tutelage of many wonderful surgeons, including Dr. Bahman Guyuron, a truly gifted cosmetic surgeon who pioneered the new field of Migraine Surgery. Dr. Branch's last stop before Bangor was San Francisco, where he trained at the Buncke Clinic in Hand and Microsurgery.
Dr. Branch started his own surgical practice, Bangor Plastic & Hand Surgery, P.A., in 2000. For several years, he worked out of Eastern Maine Healthcare Mall on Union Street. In early 2009, he relocated his practice to a larger, newly renovated facility at 55 Broadway. At the same time, he opened Surface Medical Spa to provide skin care and rejuvenation services, in addition to the options for surgical cosmetic enhancement, reconstructive procedures, migraine treatment and hand and wound treatment within his surgical practice.
Chantal Clark, LA
Aesthetician
Chantal is trained and skilled in today's most effective treatments, including skin peels, Microdermabrasion, IPL, photorejuvenation, laser hair removal and Fraxel® laser treatments. She is committed to helping patients reach their goals, whether it's through services she offers or though a referral to Dr. Branch for cosmetic treatments and/or procedures. Chantal specializes in skin care analysis and the design of individualized skin care programs. She can also create a treatment plan that is unique to each individual's needs and goals.
Chantal is a graduate of the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis and has worked in the field of plastic surgery since 2001. She looks forward to being your partner on your journey toward healthier skin.
Stephanie Dow, CMA
Skin Care Technician
Stephanie Dow, CMA, has 7 years experience in the medical field, several of which were associated with medical aesthetics. Stephanie, a Certified Medical Assistant, has Associate Degrees in Medical Administrative Assisting and Office Management, as well as formal skin care training from La Roche-Posay and Obagi. Stephanie joined the practice in early 2008.
Jill Wadlington, CMAIT
Patient Coordinator/Medical Assistant
Jillian has been working for Dr. Branch since 2002. A Medical Assistant in Training, she helps the office run efficiently by assisting with patient care, maintaining the office flow and taking care of the surgery schedule. She has been trained and certified as one of our office specialists for the Obagi Skin Care System. Jillian is more than happy to answer questions regarding procedures, post-op care, skincare and any scheduling questions. Feel free to call or e-mail her anytime.
Karen Byrne, CMA
Medical Assistant
Karen Byrne, CMA, grew up in Neptune, NJ before moving to Presque Isle, Maine with family. She attended UMPI for two years before moving back to New Jersey where she graduated at Star Technical Institute for Medical Assisting. Karen became certified through the National Allied Health test Registry and accredited through the National Association of Health Professionals. After school, she gained five years experience assisting Dermatological Surgeons primarily with Mohs Micrographic and Reconstructive Surgery, along with various other procedures including laser surgery.
Karen moved back to Maine to raise her own family. She has been with Bangor Plastic & Hand Surgery since 2008.
Danielle Ellis, AAPC, CPC-H
Billing Supervisor
Danielle is the Billing Supervisor and has been with the practice since 2004. Her days are very busy with insurance pre-determinations and pre-certifications as well as coding issues. She also does all insurance billing and is responsible for collection all prepayments for cosmetic surgeries as well as entering all the accounts receivable for the practice. Danielle is a Certified Professional Coder.
Danielle is more than happy to assist patients with insurance questions and any other financial issues.
Alicia Birmingham
Receptionist
Alicia Birmingham is the friendly face at the front window, scheduling and checking-in patients. She also prepares charts, fields phone calls and processes retail purchases. Alicia has been with the practice since early 2008 and she has several years experience in customer service. Alicia majored in Physical Therapy at Husson University and in Psychology at the University of Maine.
Lori Welch, CST
Surgical Supervisor/Migraine Patient Coordinator
Lori Welch, a Certified Surgical Technician, grew up in Maine and attended the School of Operating Room Technology in Portland. Lori has worked for 28 years in the Operating Room as a Surgical Technician, assisting and training personnel, primarily in orthopedics and plastics.
She joins Dr. Branch's office as the Migraine Surgery Coordinator and Surgical Supervisor. Lori will be working closely with Migraine Patients to answer questions and discuss treatments and options.
Samantha Davis, LMT
Licensed Massage Therapist
Samantha is a well trained licensed massage therapist specializing in deep tissue massage. She graduated from Pierre's in Bangor Maine. Previous to joining the Surface Medical Spa team she was a traveling masseuse and worked at a salon in Eastport, Maine. She is also trained in many different massage modalities such as Swedish, Pre-natal, trigger point therapy, reiki, and many more. She looks forward to speaking with you about the many benefits of massage therapy and what would be best for you.
Jennifer Sheffer
Business Manager
Jennifer has been with the practice since 2007 and is responsible for the behind-the-scenes administration including accounting, marketing, human resources, and quality control. She also assists Dr. Branch with business and strategic planning for both the medical practice and medical spa. Jennifer has a Master's Degree in Business from Husson University and several years experience in business management.
