Freshly arrived from Syria at just 6 years old, Romeo Jamil Samouh watched his father's eyes fill with pain as his dream crumbled. The family’s weathered van – packed with handcrafted ornaments – was stolen outside their Los Angeles apartment, sweeping away the Samouhs’ main source of income. This marked the first of many challenges the family would face in pursuit of the American Dream.

 

Yet, the dream stayed alive when the Samouhs moved to San Bernardino, where Romeo’s father opened a small market. Helping at the store after school, a young Romeo learned the power of optimism and the strength of family.

 

He later attended the University of California, Riverside, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology. Next, he attended medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico, in an exchange program through New York Medical College. His parents’ expressions of joy when he received his medical degree in 2011 remains a favorite memory.

  

Romeo Samouh, MD, also gained significant medical training in his residency with the University of California, Davis in 2014. After completing his residency, he worked locally in urgent care before starting his Samouh Family Practice clinic in Upland, California.

 

Today, Dr. Samouh is the proud recipient of the 2024 IEHP Optimal Care Award, which recognizes a doctor in our network for excellent quality care. It uses quality-based criteria, such as clinical outcome and member experience data, to select a winner.

 

“I’ve always been very dedicated and always try to think positively,” said Dr. Samouh. “Every day is super rewarding to help patients when they’re in need. And I love working with the underserved. They’re always so humble and grateful. I had a patient bring in tamales for us and farmers who bring in fruits for us to try.”

CONNECTIONS COUNT

Dr. Samouh chose family medicine because he feels something special about caring for people within the full circle of life – from newborns to senior citizens.

 

Much of his work ethic is rooted in witnessing his dad go from shop to shop to see if store owners would buy what he was selling.

 

“They inspired me to work hard and not forget where we come from and to help those in need,” he said.

Dr. Samouh still remembers how difficult it was as a child – adapting to a new culture, overcoming language barriers and dealing with financial hardships.

 

He takes effective communication to heart, as he speaks three languages: English, Spanish and Arabic. Dr. Samouh also serves as a civil surgeon for the U.S. Citizen Immigration Services, providing physicals for refugees from around the world.

 

Each of his medical office staff members is bilingual. That way, they can communicate with each patient in their own native language.

 

“My staff has been fantastic,” he said. “They’re so dedicated and proactive.”

WHY IEHP?

Dr. Samouh joined the IEHP network because he senses a deep connection, pointing out that it goes back to working with the underserved and refugee populations.

 

“The population IEHP serves coincides with the population I like to serve,” he said. “IEHP really has a great network of support and resources to make sure we’re doing our best with our patients.”

 

Dr. Samouh’s journey from a young immigrant to a beacon of hope in his community is a testament to the power of resilience and compassion.

 

Through his family practice, Dr. Samouh not only aligns with IEHP’s mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, but he also honors the struggles his own family faced.

 

“It’s the little things that brighten your day,” he added. “My patients’ gratitude is so rewarding. It signifies something more than something monetary.”