Your Partners in Healing

Hi, I’m Dr. Ilona Samara, and my journey into medicine started at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, followed by a residency in Family Medicine and Preventive Health. For nearly a decade, I worked as a primary care physician at St. Anthony’s, helping patients navigate their health. But over time, I became frustrated with the limitations of conventional medicine. I saw firsthand how simply prescribing medications wasn’t enough—it wasn’t getting to the root of my patients' struggles.

I knew there had to be a better way. I wanted to have real conversations with my patients about their lives, stressors, sleep, and lifestyle—not just rush through appointments. That’s when I found Functional Medicine, a patient-centered approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease rather than just treating symptoms.

This journey became even more personal when I started experiencing my own health issues. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune thyroid condition, and like many of my patients, I was told I’d be on medication for life. But I refused to accept that as my only option. By applying the same integrative principles I now use with my patients—targeting the root cause, optimizing nutrition, and reducing environmental triggers—I was able to heal. Today, I no longer take thyroid medication.

I understand what it’s like to feel like your health is out of your control, but I also know firsthand that true healing is possible. That’s why I’m passionate about helping my patients not just manage their conditions, but work toward reversing them. Instead of settling for a diagnosis, I ask, “Why?”—and together, we find the answers that lead to lasting wellness.

Hi, I’m Emily! I’m a nurse, integrative health coach, wife, mom, Jesus follower, and a passionate advocate for holistic healing. My own health and healing journey has deeply shaped who I am today, both personally and professionally.

I hold a Bachelor of Science and earned my nursing degree from OSU-OKC. I’m nationally certified as a Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN), with advanced expertise in caring for acutely ill adults. My nursing experience has been in the cardiac step-down, interventional radiology, and intermediate care settings.

But beyond the credentials, I’m a Hashimoto’s warrior and a PANS mama who understands firsthand how frustrating and impersonal the “sick care” system can feel. My family’s battle with autoimmune disease led me to functional medicine, where I learned the importance of addressing root causes, nervous system regulation, and spiritual restoration in the healing process.

I became a Certified Integrative Health Coach not only to help my own family heal but to guide others on their journey toward wellness. Healing is more than taking a medication to mask a symptom—it’s about empowering your body to do what it was created to do: heal.

It would be my honor to walk alongside you on your journey to optimal health and well-being.