Dr. Lina Sakr, an internal medicine specialist who recently joined the team of physicians at Naples Center for Functional Medicine, has nearly four decades of experience in medicine. A woman who was a pioneer in her field, Sakr also set the example for her three brothers that followed in her footsteps. “I’m the eldest of my siblings, and when I graduated from high school, I went straight to medical school, where I noted that there were very few female doctors. At the time I knew it would be a difficult path but my passion for studying medicine to improve the lives of others was my motivation. Little did I suspect that I would also lead the way for my brothers. One is an oral surgeon, another is a gynecologist and the other is a neonatologist who handles the most complex and high-risk situations in babies,” she says.

Sakr, who received her doctor of medicine degree from the Damascus University School of Medicine, in Syria, began her residency at Grace Hospital’s Detroit Medical Center. Upon completing her residency, she practiced internal medicine primarily in the outpatient and inpatient settings for approximately 25 years. During her career she began serving as clinical assistant professor at the Oakland University William Beaumont Hospital School of Medicine. 

Sakr’s background is well-rounded. She has experience in women’s health, functional and integrative medicine, and in obesity medicine. “Twenty years ago, I had passion for obesity medicine. I needed to learn more about it because of the obesity epidemic in the U.S. and how it was impacting the health of my patients. In 2000, I began studies through American Society of Bariatric Medicine. 

“Ten years ago I became interested in integrative and functional medicine and completed my fellowship in anti-aging, metabolic and functional medicine with A4M, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine in Boca Raton, Florida. I finished that program and accepted the position with Naples Center for Functional Medicine. I genuinely love this field of medicine because it is patient-centered, personalized, comprehensive and forward-thinking. And, I get to deliver optimized outcomes for my patients,” advises Sakr.

Happy with her decision to move to Naples, she says, “Coming from the Midwest, I appreciate the beautiful weather here, particularly in the winter months.” Since her move, she’s been enjoying working with her new colleagues and seeing patients. Outside of work, she enjoys music, biking, and botany. “Now that it’s the holidays, one of my two daughters, who lives in France and teaches English in university, is coming to visit. My other daughter is a medical resident training to be an emergency room physician. Since she’s in medicine, I know from experience exactly where she’ll be during the holidays. She’ll be working,” quips Sakr.

Naples Center for Functional Medicine is located at 800 Goodlette Rd. N., Ste. 270, in Naples. For more information or to make an appointment, call 239-649-7400 or visit NaplesCFM.com. See ad, page 47.