May 6, 2025 — Medical school is hard work, so having the support of caring mentors is crucial for student success.

Since 1969, graduating medical students from the University of Florida College of Medicine annually select an educator to receive the Hippocratic Faculty Award, bestowed to an exemplary teacher and mentor who embodies the ideals of the Hippocratic oath.

In an outdoor ceremony May 1 at Wilmot Botanical Gardens, college faculty, staff and students from the M.D. Class of 2026 gathered to reveal this year’s Hippocratic Faculty Award winner: Diane Howell, M.D. ’07.

Howell, an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics and interim assistant dean of student affairs, was nominated by the class for her grounding presence and thoughtful leadership.

A double Gator, Howell completed her undergraduate studies in business administration and medical degree at UF before moving briefly out of state to complete her pediatrics residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she served as chief resident. She moved back to her home state in 2016 and has been a member of UF faculty ever since.

Class of 2026 president and academic chair Raja Al-Bahou shared a few words about Howell’s impact during the ceremony.

“We know she wears many hats, and somehow wears them exceptionally well,” he said. “She has this way of meeting you exactly where you are, and when things feel overwhelming and you’re on an outward spiral, she’s the person sitting there for you and telling you things are going to be OK.”

The class kept most people in the dark about who they selected as a winner, and Howell was surprised and delighted to learn she had been honored.

“This is so meaningful to me,” she said to the crowd. “My goal as an educator is to help you become the best you can be. Hopefully I inspire you so you can impact the lives of so many people.”