The Team
Karla Akwa, M.D., M.S., Board Certified in Family Medicine
Dr. Akwa grew up in St. Charles, Illinois. She began her medical career as a registered nurse and subsequently went on to receive her master’s degree as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). It was during her nurse’s training that Dr. Akwa realized her passion and began training in holistic patient centered care. Eventually, Dr. Akwa graduated from the University of Illinois, College of Medicine in 1998. She was selected into the Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society. She was also awarded the Legacy Award for Academic excellence and the Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citation Award for women graduates in the top ten percent of their medical school class.
Dr. Akwa completed her residency at the University of Illinois Family Medicine Residency in Peoria, Illinois in 2001. She has provided holistic care exclusively for women since that time. She has a special interest in MTHFR mutations, bio identical hormone therapy, PEMF therapy, weight loss, and nutritional cleansing.
She is married to Kevin and has two beautiful children Noah and Anaiah. She is a member of Living Hope Christian Church. Her passions include spending time with her family, adoption, orphan care, missions and dogs. She is a member of the Adoptagenix team within Isagenix and a portion of all proceeds from the Isagenix products supports The Village of Hope in Guatemala and Project Hopeful.
Peggy Jacobs, CNM, APRN
Peggy started her nursing career as an RN at Brokaw Hospital (now Advocate BroMenn) working in obstetrics and pediatrics. She is a graduate of Mennonite College of Nursing's BSN program. She obtained a Master's Degree as a Parent Child Clinical Nurse Specialist from Northern Illinois University and a post-graduate certificate in Nurse Midwifery/Women's Health and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a doctorally prepared Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Peggy has been teaching nursing students at ISU and IWU part-time for 25 years. Peggy was a volunteer nurse midwife for 3 years at the McLean County Prenatal Clinic. She met Dr. Akwa during an internship experience at her office. After graduating with her DNP, she went into part-time practice with her at Integrative Health for Women and Advocate BroMenn. Her experience with Dr. Akwa led to her developing a passion caring for women at various life stages.
Sarah Hinds
Sarah graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in biology physiology, Neuroscience, and Behavior. During her time at ISU, she worked as an EMT, where she learned of her love of medicine and helping others. She also was a research assistant studying the effects of exercise on Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. It sparked her love of integrative medicine and focusing on whole-body healing, rather than just managing symptoms. She is an aspiring nurse practitioner and excited to work with the Center of Integrative Medicine team. She recently has taken a job with Bromen and will be with us part-time.
Annette G., R.N.
Lisa McClure, Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist (By Appointment Only)