Anas Rahim, an anesthesiologist, grew up by the beaches of Panama City, Florida, the youngest of five siblings in a family shaped by Syrian immigrant parents who fled political persecution in the 1980s. Born in Atlanta in 1990, he moved with his family to Florida soon after, where his father built a medical practice. That coastal upbringing fostered a love for the outdoors, while his parents instilled values of faith, family, and service. Today, Rahim is a board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician, preparing to relocate from Miami to Texas with his wife and growing family, eager for a new chapter in a thriving market.
“When times are tough, first, I take a deep breath and ground myself as to what my purpose is here on earth,” Rahim says, explaining how he stays motivated during challenges. That purpose has guided him through medical school, residency, and volunteer missions, including a life-altering trip to Syria. Now, as Rahim balances a demanding career with raising two sons and expecting a third, he’s driven by a desire to help patients reclaim their lives from pain.
In Panama City, Rahim’s high school years included dual enrollment at Gulf Coast State College. He joined the student government’s executive board as a senior, serving as community service chairman. There, he launched Adopt-a-Highway programs, supported Habitat for Humanity projects, and collaborated with local leaders to benefit the community. After graduating in 2008, he headed to the University of Florida, earning a degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition in 2012.
Anas Rahim’s Turning Point in Syria
Rahim’s college years at UF deepened his commitment to service. As treasurer for Project Downtown, a group rooted in Muslim values, he helped it become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. “We expanded to serving hot meals twice a week, working with Alachua County coalition for the homeless to facilitate interviews, preparation, and job placement,” he says. The experience honed his leadership and reinforced his family’s emphasis on helping others, a value tested when he entered medical school in West Virginia. There, he faced snow for the first time, a stark contrast to Florida’s warmth, and realized cold climates weren’t for him.
After his first year of medical school in 2014, Rahim traveled to Syria, Rahim traveled to Syria during its civil war on a medical mission. He spent a week in a hospital emergency room reeling from a recent bombing, watching ambulances arrive after sunset air raids. “It was nothing I had seen before, akin to being in a movie,” Rahim says. Working alongside an anesthesiologist who managed pain and stabilized patients in the chaos left a mark. “The ability to quickly manage patients’ pains, and keep them safe during surgery spoke to me,” he says. That moment crystallized his decision to pursue anesthesiology, tying his heritage to his professional calling.
Residency Trials and Triumphs
Rahim began his anesthesiology residency at the University of Florida in 2017, a return to his undergraduate roots. The program challenged him, but his second year brought a personal hurdle: herniating two cervical discs and requiring neck surgery that temporarily cost him the use of his right arm. “It was a terrifying experience,” he says. “In retrospect, I look back very fortunate to have had the support to get through that difficult time.” The ordeal gave him a patient’s perspective, sharpening his approach to care.
During his residency, Rahim didn’t slow down. He served on the department’s Resident Education Committee, diving into discussions about training and curriculum. He also participated in research, exploring ways to advance anesthesiology, and volunteered with local programs. In his final year, he welcomed his first son, a milestone that grounded him amid the grind.
Anas Rahim Specializes in Pain Management
Now a clinic attending Miami’s pain management fellowship program, anesthesiologist Anas Rahim finds deep satisfaction in the field. “There’s nothing more gratifying than seeing a patient that has lost their quality of life and living in pain come in with a smile on their face,” he says. Unlike anesthesiology’s brief patient interactions, pain management offers continuity, a chance to witness recovery over time. He’s excited by trends shifting away from opioids toward interventional techniques. “As the field shifts further and further away from opiate management, it moves more and more to interventional modalities to address pain,” he says.
Advances in imaging, he noted, enhance doctors’ abilities to tackle complex cases. Procedures like lumbar decompression and spinal cord stimulation reflect this evolution, driven partly by the opioid epidemic’s fallout. “The opioid epidemic has made many doctors wary of prescribing opiates, which again creates an even larger demand for procedural means,” he says. Rahim sees this as a chance to innovate as he moves to Texas, where he aims to build a practice focused on lasting relief.
Anas Rahim Relocates to Texas
Rahim’s move to Texas marks a fresh start in a growing, competitive market. “Moving to a new competitive market can always be challenging,” he says. “Essentially, you have to start from scratch. The key is to take it day by day and recognize that Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Building trust with patients and referring doctors takes time, but he’s undaunted. Texas’ expanding population signals demand for physicians, and its faith-based communities align with his values, making it a fit for raising his sons.
Beyond work, Dr. Anas Rahim looks forward to exploring the state’s outdoors. “Granted, Texas is not known for its cold weather, but when you’re coming from Florida, it’s more of a four-season area than Miami,” he says. “The opportunity to go outside and not sweat as soon as I walk out the door at 7 a.m. will be a welcome change.” He plans to hike and bike with his family, eyeing trips to West Coast national parks.
Leadership in Medicine and Missions
Rahim’s proudest career moment came as assistant program director of Larkin Health Systems’ Pain Medicine Fellowship Program. Training five physicians each year, he shaped their skills and future practices. “That was a huge honor,” he says. The role built his leadership, a skill he also applies to medical missions in Syria and Turkey, areas tied to his heritage. “I’m always happiest when I’m servicing others,” he says, a drive rooted in his upbringing and reinforced by his 2014 Syria trip.
As Syria rebuilds, he hopes to return. “As the new Syrian government works to rebuild their country, I hope to continue with medical mission trips to service the underserved areas there,” he says. In Miami, he’s stayed active outside work, hitting the gym and cherishing family time with his wife and sons. His parents’ legacy of 18 grandchildren emphasizes the tight-knit clan he leans on, a support network he’ll carry to Texas as he balances service and personal life.
Anas Rahim Advises Aspiring Doctors
Anas Rahim anesthesiologist offers blunt advice to those eyeing healthcare. “First, follow your passion,” he says. “If you’re passionate about healthcare and/or pain management, pursue it. If, however, you’re chasing money or prestige, you’ll burn out and likely be miserable with your life choices.” Insurance battles, he notes, wear on doctors who lack purpose. “You frequently end up arguing with insurance companies to advocate for your patient,” he says. “This gets old quickly if you’re not in it for the right reasons.”
For those relocating, he suggests research and patience. “You need to know your market and be patient,” he says. “Look into the size and growth of the area as well as how well it’s being serviced and also ask yourself if you bring something new to the table that others don’t.”
Reflecting on his path, Rahim is content. “Hindsight is always 20/20, but given that I have my family with me, I don’t think I’d change anything,” he says. As Texas beckons, Rahim’s focus stays on patients, family, and purpose.
His guiding phrase, “Let go and let God,” steadies him. “This reminds me that every transition, no matter how uncertain, is an opportunity to create something meaningful,” he says. It’s a reminder to trust the process, and to keep pushing forward; one patient, one day, one step at a time.
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