*Samantha’s passion for helping others look and feel good motivates her every day.*

Sometimes you end up in the right place at the right time. While Dr. Jason and Samantha Harris each made their way to Texarkana from different directions at different times, they are beyond grateful to have met here, in a place to call home, and they are excited to settle into building their future.

Jason grew up in Dickinson, Texas, south of Houston, and knew early on that he wanted to go into medicine. Unfortunately, it was the death of a good friend in high school from a car accident that set him on the path to the emergency room. Ultimately, it is a simple desire to help others that leads Jason to work daily in an environment that most of us would like to avoid. Samantha would tell you that Jason is caring, dependable, and supportive above all else, and those same qualities that she fell in love with are what guide him in his work. Jason attended Henderson State University for undergrad before moving on to Ross University School of Medicine and then completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. Jason has been an emergency physician at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System for 12 years and has been the Emergency Medical Director since the fall of 2017.

*Jason, Zach, Samantha, Callie and Gauge enjoying a beautiful waterfall in Costa Rica in 2019.*

While Samantha also knew since high school that she wanted to go into the medical field, she says she is still surprised at where her career has taken her. A Hot Springs, Arkansas, native, Samantha attended National Park College and Arkansas Tech Nursing school, and later completed her Master of Nursing degree at Walden University. Samantha moved to Texarkana in 2013 to accept a nursing job in the emergency room at St. Michael, which turned out to be the right decision for many reasons. “Jason and I met in 2014, and we got married June 6, 2015.” While the last several years have been a whirlwind of hard work and opportunities and risks, the Harrises wouldn’t have it any other way.

When Samantha finished her Nurse Practitioner’s degree, she had a different idea for what she wanted to do. “I really wanted to be able to help people that really needed help,” she said, “and I really enjoyed the work I got to do through Genesis PrimeCare.” Eventually, Samantha said yes to another opportunity and began training in the field of medical aesthetics, and then said yes again to the opportunity to open her own clinic and run her own business. LoneStar Health & Wellness opened in November 2019, and despite all of the challenges that came with 2020, Samantha is proud of her growing business. “It’s always a risk to open your own business, but I have to say that the community has been so welcoming and other small business owners in the area have been extremely helpful,” Samantha said. “Of course, Jason is incredibly supportive in so many ways, but this is definitely my baby. Since we opened, we have moved once to accommodate a growing clientele, and we are excited to offer an even bigger and better space in the future.”

*Gauge, Callie, Samantha, Jason and Zach riding horses in Belize.*

LoneStar Health & Wellness is what Samantha calls “modern health and wellness,” and while she offers many services including wellness visits, bloodwork, and hormone level assessments, her specialty is medical cosmetics including BOTOX®, lip enhancements, and other injectables. “It’s been amazing to see what a positive effect these physical enhancements can have on someone’s mental state and overall wellness. Honestly, a lot of the testimonials that clients text me may not be appropriate to print,” she joked. “But it can be such a confidence boost in helping people feel their very best.”

As medical cosmetics become more mainstream, Samantha is committed to offering her best work and continually learning and improving. “I truly believe it is the combination of medicine and artwork, and I take a lot of pride in my work,” she said. “You know, good or bad, word-of-mouth travels very quickly around here, and I am always honored when clients put their trust in me.” As business continues to grow, Samantha is excited about the future of health and wellness and said her goal is to provide state-of-the-art options for the Texarkana area. “Samantha is one of the most caring people, and it has been amazing to watch her follow her passions,” Jason said. “It is even more amazing to see her determination and work ethic in action.”

*In 2017, Jason and Samantha basked in the breathtaking scenery in Lake Louise, Canada.*

While Jason and Samantha both seem to thrive in fast-paced and high-pressure situations and love the work they are able to do, they work just as hard to enjoy their time off. “More than anything, we are proud of our family, and our kids.” Between them, Jason and Samantha have three active kids: Zach (15), Gauge (14), and Callie (11). “Oh my gosh, they keep us busy,” Samantha said, “but we love it! The kids play sports, and I serve on the PGYA board, and we are very excited about football season. We love to cheer for PG!” When they’re not shuffling between games and practices, the Harris family loves to travel, and they love to spend their downtime at their houseboat on Lake DeGray. “We love to be outside. The kids love hiking, riding bikes, fishing, stuff like that. We really appreciate all the natural beauty this area has to offer.”

Dr. Jason and Samantha Harris have a lot in common, and up near the top of that list is their shared commitment to provide quality medical experiences. “I know that Jason’s ultimate goal is always for every person that comes to the ER to have a positive experience,” Samantha said. “That may sound huge, but I feel the same way about every person that comes through my clinic doors.” As the Harrises look forward and plan for the future, they feel confident that they are still in the right place at the right time.

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In the Right Place at the Right Time