Anesthesiologists are often the overlooked heroes of medicine, working behind the scenes to ensure patient safety and comfort during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. Choosing such a demanding career takes dedication, a big heart, and an enduring sense of purpose.
For Anas Rahim D.O., that purpose comes from a life strongly influenced by family, hard work, and a commitment to caring for others. In his recent shift from anesthesiology to pain management, he is embracing the opportunity to care for patients like never before.
From his early days in the beach town where he grew up to his medical training at universities across the country, Rahim’s journey is one of determination and growth. Guided by lessons from his parents and faith, he has built a career centered on serving other people while carefully balancing the demands of medicine, mentorship, learning, and family.
A Childhood Spent by the Sea
Born in 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia, Rahim spent most of his childhood in Panama City, Florida, where his parents settled after fleeing political persecution in Syria during the 1980s. As the youngest of five siblings in a close-knit family, he was always surrounded by love and support.
Rahim grew up prioritizing faith, family, and hard work, all of which were picked up from his parents. Living close to the ocean gave him an appreciation for nature, and he spent much of his free time swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving in the Gulf Coast waters.
Even as a teen, Rahim stood out as a leader. While still in high school, he dual-enrolled in classes at Gulf State College, where he joined the Student Government’s executive board.
His role as community service chairman allowed him to make a positive impact on the community, leading projects like Adopt a Highway and Habitat for Humanity. These early experiences in leadership and service helped form the foundation for this future, reminding him of what he truly cared about.
Bringing Service into Higher Education
When Rahim left Panama City to attend the University of Florida, he brought his passion for service with him. Majoring in Food Science and Human Nutrition, he found ways to combine his academic interests with his desire to give back.
Rahim joined Project Downtown, a service organization inspired by Muslim values, and quickly became a leader within the group. As treasurer, he led the effort to secure the group’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, expanding the organization’s reach.
Project Downtown started offering hot meals twice a week and partnered with coalitions like the Alachua County Coalition to provide job preparation and placement services for the homeless community. These experiences not only helped people in need but also solidified Rahim’s ability to lead others.
A Defining Trip to Syria
In 2014, while completing his first year of medical school in West Virginia, Rahim took a step that would change his career forever. At the time, the Syrian civil war was at its height, so he joined a medical mission as a volunteer, feeling a strong desire to help the people in his parents’ homeland.
The ER where Rahim was stationed had been bombed just weeks before his arrival. Every night, alarms warned of incoming bombs, and within minutes, ambulances brought in wave after wave of patients. It was a level of intensity he had never experienced.
Rahim stood alongside doctors and nurses working in unimaginable conditions, treating injuries while trying to manage the chaos. It was here that he first noticed the pivotal role played by anesthesiologists.
He saw how they stabilized patients in critical condition, managed pain, and provided care that kept surgeries on track. This experience opened his eyes to the difference anesthesiologists could make in patient care, sparking his decision to pursue it as a career.
Resilience During Residency
In 2017, Dr. Anas Rahim returned to familiar ground, beginning his anesthesiology residency at the University of Florida. But his journey was far from linear. Midway through training, his resilience was tested by a severe injury: herniated cervical discs left him without function in his right arm, requiring surgery and months of recovery.
For many, such an injury would have derailed their career. For Rahim though, it was a turning point. He leaned on his wife and family for support, drawing strength from their encouragement and persevering through the healing process.
Through this experience, he gained a deeper sense of empathy for his patients, finally understanding not only their physical pain but also the emotional and psychological weight of recovery.
By the time he’d finished his training, he’d not only grown as a physician but also welcomed his first son, marking another significant milestone.
A Shift to Pain Management
After completing his residency, Rahim transitioned from full-time anesthesiology to pain management, a specialty he’d spent an extra year training for. Although his skills as an anesthesiologist remained sharp, he felt that working in pain management would allow him to understand and address patient needs more holistically.
Today, Rahim works full-time as an attending physician in a pain management fellowship program while also practicing part-time as an anesthesiologist. Not only does he pick up weekend shifts at the hospital associated with his clinic, but he also uses his PTO to step in for other anesthesiologists as needed.
Working in the clinic has given Rahim a new perspective on the business side of medicine. While he’s faced a steep learning curve, the experience has also allowed him to better understand how administrative decisions can affect patient care.
For Anas Rahim, pain management is more than a specialty, but a way to improve lives by addressing patient challenges with precision and understanding. By focusing on the whole person sitting in front of him, he ensures that both their physical and emotional concerns are accounted for.
Balancing Work and Family Life
Rahim’s daily routine reflects his dedication to both his profession and his family. Each morning begins with coffee and plenty of preparation. Reviewing patient charts, MRI results, and past notes ensures he’s ready to provide the best care possible to each patient.
Rahim prizes teamwork and fosters a culture of honesty and respect in the clinic. This means every voice matters, from the front desk staff to fellow physicians. He believes that when the people around you are happy and positive, that energy will naturally flow to patients.
At home, he’s equally committed, carving out an hour every night to disconnect from work and put all of his focus on his kids. Now a father of two, with a third on the way, Rahim credits his parents for instilling the values that guide him today—a healthy work/life balance among them.
His extended family, which includes 18 grandchildren among all of his siblings, continues to be a source of strength and support in his life, as does his spirituality.
Mentorship and Lifelong Learning: Building the Future
Teaching has become an important part of Rahim’s career. Early on, during his first day as an attending pain management physician, he found himself mentoring multiple fellows, all of whom were older than he was.
The experience required humility and patience but ultimately became one of the most rewarding aspects of his work. Now, mentoring others in his field is something he takes pride in, knowing he’s making a difference not only in their careers but in the lives of patients.
Rahim is also deeply committed to continuous learning. He stays up to date on advancements in anesthesiology and pain management through daily MOCA questions, professional podcasts like ACCRAC, and resources from organizations like APSF and ASIPP.
Books like Being Mortal by surgeon Atul Gawande have further shaped his perspective, emphasizing the gravity of quality of life in patient care. These ideas align with lessons from Rahim’s father, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist who always stressed the importance of listening and building trust with patients.
One of his father’s most memorable teachings, “God gave us two ears and one mouth,” serves as a daily reminder to listen more than he speaks. Together, these influences have guided Rahim’s philosophy in the medical field, where he leads with compassion, empathy, and respect.
A Career in Motion
Whether known as Anas Rahim, anesthesiologist, or by another title, his focus remains the same: delivering compassionate care, mentoring the next generation of physicians, and making a difference in the lives of others.
Rahim’s transition to pain management has broadened his ability to provide comprehensive patient care. As he refines his skills and leans into his passions, he proceeds to grow both as a person and a professional.
From his upbringing in Panama City to his current role in Miami, Rahim continues to create a ripple effect of positive change for patients, peers, and the wider community. Each day, he focuses on taking the next step forward, confident that his faith and strong principles will guide him toward his next opportunity.
