Nov. 16, 2023 — Women at the UF College of Medicine lead clinics, provide compassionate care for their patients, advance scientific discoveries and guide the next generation of clinicians and scientists.

In celebration of these accomplishments, UF Women in Medicine and Science, a faculty group within the College of Medicine office of faculty affairs and professional development that supports professional development and provides a community for female faculty, hosted its annual UF Women in Medicine and Science Celebration Nov. 9.

During the reception, faculty reflected on their personal and professional achievements with a slideshow presentation, faculty who were promoted in 2023 were recognized and two women were honored with an inaugural accolade called the Diamond Award, which recognizes faculty for their professional excellence, contributions as role models and outstanding leaders and impact on UF and beyond.

Among the various honors recognized at the event, 32 women received promotions — including five achieving tenure — 19 women received research funding from the National Institutes of Health and two women rose to senior level leadership positions, in addition to many other professional recognitions and awards.

This year’s Diamond Award honorees were Kayser Enneking, M.D. ’86, a professor in the department of anesthesiology with a joint appointment in the department of orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine, and Maryam Rahman, M.D., M.S., an associate professor in the Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, both of whom received a ceramic plate crafted by local artist Jacqueline Collett. The winners were honored for their academic accomplishments as well as their intangible accomplishments related to their roles as mentors, ability to balance family responsibilities and community involvement.

Rahman is the only female neurosurgeon at UF and in Gainesville and has served as principal investigator for multiple brain tumor clinical trials. She’s held leadership roles in several professional organizations and devotes some of her time to volunteering, including serving as co-chair for her department’s community service volunteer group.

Rahman accepted her award surrounded by family. She shared that because of the bravery of people like her grandfather — the only person in his family to attend school in Pakistan, who then ensured all his sons and daughters received an education — and her mother, who came to the U.S. at age 17 on her own, she in turn had better opportunities and the freedom to pursue an education.

“I’m here because of the sacrifices of people like them,” Rahman said. “I am so humbled and very appreciative to the committee for honoring me.”