Dr. Samaha grew up in Lebanon, in a town on Mount Lebanon about 3,000 feet above sea level. Though it's a world away from Peoria, he considers the River City to be his home away from home. Its kind and genuine people, and the combination of urban amenities with a laid-back rural pace of life, remind him of his hometown. As a child, his favorite activity was playing doctor and biology was his favorite subject in school, so it's no surprise he pursued a career in medicine. I never second guessed my decision to go to medical school after high school, since learning about the human body and treating illnesses was my fascination, Dr. Samaha said. The brain is the command center of the human body and it is full of mysteries. The neurosciences are a growing field with continuous discoveries and new technologies. When it comes to patient care, he tries to understand as much about the person based on their values, culture, background and expectations. He believes understanding a person is vital to properly treating them. Dr. Samaha feels at home at OSF HealthCare, where compassion is key. This institution, through its Vision, structure and support systems, is a perfect match for providers committed to best care possible and to making a positive impact in the community, he said. In his free time, Dr. Samaha enjoys a wide variety of interests, including music, singing, astronomy, traveling, gastronomy, kickboxing, video games, studying new languages and learning about new cultures. He is a member of his church's choir and a member of a local Peoria astronomical society. He also speaks fluent Arabic, English, French and Spanish.
