2025
Alexander S. Parker PhD
Professor & Senior Associate Dean for Research
Dr. Parker joined university of Florida as the senior associate dean for medical research in 2018. Dr. Parker is a transformative leader and mentor whosewhose dedication has positively influenced the careers of many in academic medicine. Across multiple departments, he has consistently created meaningful opportunities for women faculty, championing their advancement through mentorship, sponsorship, and inclusive leadership. Dr. Parker is known for his ability to recognize talent, foster confidence, and invest deeply in the professional development of his mentees—often elevating them into leadership roles and supporting them through bold, innovative projects. His advocacy is not performative; it is deeply embedded in his everyday actions and leadership philosophy. Colleagues describe him as empathetic, strategic, and self-aware—traits that make his support both personal and impactful. Through his ongoing efforts, Dr. Parker exemplifies the mission of the WIMS Excellence in Mentorship and Advocacy Award, making him an exceptionally deserving recipient.
2024
Guy Benrubi, MD
Professor and Emeritus Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Benrubi has been on faculty as a gynecologist-oncologist at UF Health Jacksonville since the early 1980s. He has dedicated almost 50 years to taking care of women with reproductive cancer, and he is fond of saying that providing care and comfort to women is the “noblest profession.” Throughout his career, Dr. Benrubi has served in various academic roles in the ob-gyn department including division director, program director, and chairman; he has trained and mentored hundreds of ob-gyn residents to continue his legacy of providing exceptional care to women, advocating for equity, and standing up for justice and human rights. Despite having one biological son, Dr. Benrubi loves to talk about all of his “daughters.” And his nominator specifically notes that he has been a father figure to her and countless other female residents. The lessons taught and the example set by Dr. Benrubi have been internalized by hundreds of residents, reaching thousands of women all over the world. Thus it should be beyond apparent that Dr. Benrubi could not be a more suitable winner of this year’s Excellence in Mentorship and Advocacy Award.
2023
Emily Fontane, MD
Associate Professor & Director of Pediatric Residency Education, Department of Emergency Medicine
Dr. Fontane has been advocating for women, particularly under-represented minority (URM) women in medicine, since her 1st faculty position at East Carolina University (ECU) SOM where she formed the Women of Color in Medicine Group for monthly academic and social activities which included faculty members from Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Pulmonary-Critical Care. Dr. Fontane has been a mentor to an extensive list (see her CV) of women in all phases of their careers at UF, and even after graduating from their respective programs and going to other institutions. She frequently gets calls or emails from her previous students, residents, and fellows as they still rely upon her for guidance and support that she generously provides.
Dr. Fontane has been involved with IDEA and a member of the UF Diversity Council.
2022
Leigh A. Neumayer MD, MBA, MS, FACS
Professor & Chair, Department of Surgery
“Prior to joining faculty at our institution, she served at the AAMC Women Liaison officer. In this capacity she started groups for women faculty to help improve their sense of inclusion and developed seminars for faculty and students to showcase successful women physicians and leaders. She was instrumental in hiring a second woman surgeon at the VA in Salt Lake City. She was recognized for her work at the University of Utah over two decades with the Linda K. Amos Award for Distinguished Service to Women as well as twice being awarded the American Women’s Medical Association Excellence in Mentorship and Advocacy Award. She created and implemented a structured faculty development and onboarding programs.”
“As department chair at the University of Arizona, she doubled the number of women faculty and hired the first women to lead major divisions in her department. She also worked relentlessly to improve it work environment as well as promotion opportunities for all faculty members.”
“She was the first woman president of the Society of Clinical Surgery and created a pathway for the other women in the organization to ascend to leadership. As president of the Western Surgical Association, she appointed a DEI task force, and appointed several women to leadership positions in the organization.”
“Since her arrival here at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville just two years ago, she has appointed the first female division chief and of the 10 faculty hired, 7 are women (3 are women of color), more than doubling the number of women faculty in the department of surgery.”