Bluffton has a new doctor in town, but he's not new to Bluffton.

Dr. Sam Heiks, M.D., has joined the Celebration of Health practice as a family medicine physician, according to Dr. Terry Chappell, M.D., of Celebration of Health.

Dr. Heiks is currently accepting new patients of all ages. He is trained as a family physician, is interested in integrative medicine and has a special interest in prevention of illness.

"I'm interested in helping people realize the healing potential of their own bodies," he said on Friday in an interview with The Icon. "I'm also interested in integrative medicine by combining the best modes of conventional and alternative medicine."

He said that as a family medicine physician his specialty is in learning to treat all ages of people and to learn how to coordinate their medical care.

"It's very important (in family medicine practice) to develop relationships with people," he said. "I'm also very excited to join a practice that is more personal than a larger practice."

Dr. Heiks is not a newcomer to Bluffton. He is a nephew of Dr. Chappell. His father, Jim Heiks, who is a brother of Bobbie Chappell, is a Bluffton High School and Bluffton College graduate.

From 2002-04, Dr. Heiks and his wife, Rachel, lived in Bluffton. During this time he attended Bluffton University to obtain needed science requirements for medical school. He also served as an assistant at Celebration of Health. Rachel taught English in the Vanlue schools.

"My first recollection of Bluffton is probably visiting my grandmother (Betty Heiks) on Bixel Road during Christmas," he said.

Dr. Heiks graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in 2008. In July he completed his family medicine residency. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas.

He and his wife, Rachel Stutzman, moved to Bluffton in August. They are parents of three children: Ella is 7, Adeline is 4 and Leo just turned two months.

Monday seminar

Dr. Heiks and Dr. Chappell will present a Monday, Sept. 12, seminar on PACE, (Pain relief, Allergy treatment, Circulation and Energy). The seminar is at 5:30 p.m., in the Celebration of Health office, 122 Thurman St. The seminar is free and open to the public. The purpose of the seminar is to show how to pace one's life with natural remedies. The seminar will be repeated on Oct. 3. For more details call 419-358-4627 or toll free 800-788-462.