Sima Maraqa, M.D., specializes in endocrinology at Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI) and is fluent in speaking Arabic.
“I consider myself fortunate to have discovered my passion for endocrinology very early. As a matter-of-fact endocrinology was my first ever clinical rotation during medical school. I still remember enthusiastically telling the endocrinologist I was rounding with that I want to become an endocrinologist too! He smiled and told me, "Smart people usually do! But this is your first clinical rotation. You might change your mind by the time you graduate." Although a lot of things have changed indeed, but my passion for endocrinology has only kept growing ever since,” Dr. Maraqa said.
She goes on to add that, “It has been very fulfilling knowing that I could change someone's lifestyle for the better. I just love that endocrinology gives us the ability to completely change someone's life. We can help patients, who might have otherwise suffered greatly, live a long, healthy life, giving them the opportunity to watch their children grow, and be with them throughout the different stages of their lives. I really do feel so blessed that I am able to do this job. After all, is there anything more precious to give someone than the gift of life?”
When asked what inspired her to go into medicine, Dr. Maraqa said, “Nothing has ever got me fascinated as learning about the human body, it’s just a continuous learning journey that gets you amazed and inspired every single day. Figuring out this part about the body was easy but what really made me confident about going into medicine was when I volunteered at a cancer center, I understood that patients do not want a physician who looks at them as cases, they want to be seen collectively as human beings with aspirations and fears.”
Dr. Maraqa values the individual relationships with each of her patients and does her best to give everyone the time they deserve. She said, “To me, every patient is a unique case. I find it extremely difficult to employ a one size fits all approach that is often followed in the medical field. I usually tend to let them know that dealing with chronic diseases like diabetes is hard, no doubt! But that’s why I am here to help you through this journey.”
Dr. Maraqa’s education and career experience include:
• Fellowship in endocrinology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri – a nationally ranked hospital for diabetes and endocrinology, 2023
• Residency in internal medicine at Creighton University in Nebraska, 2021
• Residency in internal medicine at Jordan Hospital in Jordan, 2018
• General practitioner at National Center of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetic in Jordan, 2017
• Residency in transitional internal medicine at King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan, 2016
• Doctor of medicine degree at Jordan University in Jordan, 2014
Outside of work, Dr. Maraqa said she enjoys hiking and gardening. She adds, “although there's no guarantee my plants will live long enough to tell everyone what a wonderful plant mom I am. Hopefully one day I'll be successful in taking care of them as I do my patients.”
She welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans at the following location:
Oklahoma Heart Institute
9228 S. Mingo Rd., suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74133
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 918-592-0999. To send a fax, dial 918-592-1021.
