About Us

Empowering Women in Medicine Since July 2023

Our Mission

Women Physicians of Tampa Bay, Inc, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to providing Mentorship, Leadership, Wellness, Education, Community Support and Outreach. It is a critical tool for growth for Women Physicians as they navigate through challenges in their professional and personal worlds.

Our Organization

Women Physicians of Tampa Bay, Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization as designated by the IRS. The Organization's EIN number is 42-2482471. The corporation is also registered in the state of Florida, Registration No. N26000000757. A copy of the official state registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling (800) 435–7352 within the state of Florida. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State. Our corporate filing details are publicly available through the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz).

Women Physicians of Tampa Bay was established in 2023 and formed as a non-profit entity in 2026 with a shared vision: to empower, support, and connect women physicians across the region. What began as a small community has grown into a powerful network of more than 450 members spanning every medical specialty, united through Facebook and WhatsApp.

Our Story

A Legacy of Connection

Women Physicians of Tampa Bay was born from a simple yet powerful idea: that women in medicine deserve a dedicated space to connect, share experiences, and uplift one another. Founded on July 7, 2023 by a small group of passionate physicians, WPTB has grown into a vibrant community of over 200 members across all specialties.

What started as informal gatherings has evolved into a recognized nonprofit organization that produces an acclaimed annual magazine, hosts dozens of networking and educational events, and provides mentorship to medical students and residents throughout the Tampa Bay region.

Today, WPTB stands as a beacon for women physicians — a place where careers are nurtured, friendships are forged, and the collective power of women in medicine is celebrated.

Our Gatherings

Moments of Connection

Community gathering 1
Community gathering 2
Community gathering 3
Community gathering 4

Leadership

Our Board

Onelia Ramirez-Cook, MD

President

Onelia Ramirez-Cook, MD

Maria del Pilar Cekan, MD

Vice President

Maria del Pilar Cekan, MD

Reena Kavilaveettil, MD

Treasurer

Reena Kavilaveettil, MD

Reham Sadek, MD

Secretary

Reham Sadek, MD

Anneris Paredes-Zaglul, MD

Member at Large

Anneris Paredes-Zaglul, MD

Renjitha Ignatius, MD

Member at Large

Renjitha Ignatius, MD

Nalini Hasija, MD

Event Co-Coordinator

Nalini Hasija, MD

Lilia Correa-Selm, MD

Event Co-Coordinator

Lilia Correa-Selm, MD

Detailed Profiles

Meet Our Board

Onelia Ramirez-Cook, MD

President

Onelia Ramirez-Cook, MD

Specialty

Board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. Specializes in ADHD, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, depression, and learning disorders. Provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults.

Education & Training

  • Medical Degree, Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña
  • Psychiatry Residency, BronxCare Health System / Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  • Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, BronxCare Health System

Notable Accomplishments

  • Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (DFAPA)
  • Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
  • Recognized among Tampa Bay's leading Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists
Maria del Pilar Cekan, MD

Vice President

Maria del Pilar Cekan, MD

Specialty

Family Medicine physician focused on preventive healthcare and chronic disease management. Provides comprehensive primary care for patients of all ages.

Education & Training

  • Medical Degree, Universidad de Murcia Faculty of Medicine, Spain

Notable Accomplishments

  • Full-time faculty of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at BayCare, mentoring the next generation of physicians
  • More than 30 years of clinical experience
  • Affiliated with several leading Tampa Bay healthcare systems
  • Dedicated advocate for preventive medicine and community healthcare
Reena Kavilaveettil, MD

Treasurer

Reena Kavilaveettil, MD

Specialty

Neurology specialist with expertise in epilepsy and seizure disorders, neuromuscular diseases, headache management, and movement disorders.

Education & Training

  • Graduate of Kottayam Medical College, Kerala, India
  • Neurology and fellowship training at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago
  • Board Certified in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
  • Board Certified in Clinical Neurophysiology and Electro-Diagnostic Medicine

Notable Accomplishments

  • Founder and lead physician of St. Mary's Neurology Center
  • More than 20 years serving patients throughout the Tampa Bay area
  • Vice Chair, Neuroscience Department at AdventHealth Tampa
  • Expertise in advanced neurological care and treatment of complex neurological disorders
Reham Sadek, MD

Secretary

Reham Sadek, MD

Specialty

Board-certified Adult and Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist with special expertise in ADHD, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, depression, and behavioral health conditions. Provides comprehensive psychiatric care for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.

Education & Training

  • Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of South Florida College of Medicine, 2012
  • Over 16 years of clinical experience in psychiatry
  • Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)

Notable Accomplishments

  • Founder of Focus Psychiatry Clinic
  • Licensed to practice in both Florida and Texas
  • Author and publisher in the parenting and mental health field
Anneris Paredes-Zaglul, MD

Member at Large

Anneris Paredes-Zaglul, MD

Specialty

Pathologist with extensive experience in diagnostic and laboratory medicine. Dedicated to advancing accurate disease diagnosis and patient care.

Education & Training

  • Medical Degree, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo Faculty of Health Sciences, Dominican Republic (1985)

Notable Accomplishments

  • Nearly four decades of experience in medicine and pathology
  • Longstanding contributor to healthcare in the Tampa Bay community
  • Recognized for expertise in diagnostic pathology
Renjitha Ignatius, MD

Member at Large

Renjitha Ignatius, MD

Specialty

Medical Oncology and Hematology specialist. Special interests include breast cancer, head and neck cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, genitourinary cancers, and hematologic disorders. Extensive experience treating central nervous system cancers, advanced bladder cancer, and lung cancer.

Education & Training

  • Medical Degree, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
  • Internal Medicine Residency, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan
  • Fellowship in Medical Oncology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Notable Accomplishments

  • Graduated among the top five students in her medical school class
  • Former Associate Professor at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
  • Published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Oncology
Nalini Hasija, MD

Event Co-Coordinator

Nalini Hasija, MD

Specialty

Board-certified Medical Oncologist and Hematologist. Treats cancer, blood disorders, and complex hematologic conditions. Active clinical researcher involved in oncology and hematology studies.

Education & Training

  • Medical Degree, Medical University of South Carolina
  • Internal Medicine Residency and Chief Resident, University of South Florida / Moffitt Cancer Center
  • Hematology & Oncology Fellowship and Chief Fellow, University of Florida

Notable Accomplishments

  • Named Castle Connolly's #1 in Cancer Care, Florida (2025)
  • Served on the Board of the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) since 2013
  • Recipient of the Craig S. Kitchens Award for Commitment to Peer Mentorship, Education, and Leadership (2015 & 2016)
Lilia Correa-Selm, MD

Event Co-Coordinator

Lilia Correa-Selm, MD

Specialty

Board-certified Dermatologist and Internist. Fellowship-trained Mohs Micrographic Surgeon and expert in confocal microscopy. Specializes in skin cancer treatment, cutaneous oncology, and advanced dermatologic surgery.

Education & Training

  • Dermatology Residency, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
  • Fellowship in Mohs Micrographic Surgery, New Jersey
  • Completed fellowships in Confocal Microscopy and Laser/Cosmetic Research
  • Internal Medicine Residency, Cornell New York Downtown Hospital

Notable Accomplishments

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of South Florida
  • Member of the Cutaneous Oncology Multidisciplinary Team at Moffitt Cancer Center
  • Conducted research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Harvard's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Former Director of Cutaneous Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
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