Robert Kemper M.D., PhD. Award for Professionalism in Medicine
In 2011, our community lost Dr. Bob to cancer. Beyond being the best community doctor a village could hope for, he was a great father, husband, neighbor, and friend. During their medical training, our nominees have demonstrated: Respect for patients, faculty, staff members and peers; Altruism, compassion and empathy towards patients; A sense of commitment, duty, responsibility and dedication to the ethical practice of the medical profession; Comportment, courtesy and exemplary personal demeanor becoming of a physician; and an ability to convey hope and be a healer of patients, to be a team builder and foster harmony in the group and in the workplace.
Congratulations to This Year’s Recipients
Rima Avellan is a fourth-year medical student at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, graduating in April 2026. Before pursuing medicine, she spent seven years as a licensed physical therapist, where she developed a deep appreciation for movement, rehabilitation, and the power of patient-centered care. Her transition from physical therapy to medicine reflects a lifelong curiosity about the human body, from the cellular level to whole-person healing, and a desire to serve patients more comprehensively. She is actively involved in research, leadership, and community engagement, with scholarly work spanning pathology and clinical medicine, and she is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society.
Beyond the hospital, Rima is a passionate entrepreneur and community leader. She is the founder of Women-Only Fitness Bootcamp (WOFB), where she empowers women through strength training, running programs, and martial arts. A devoted wife and mother of three, she balances academic excellence with family life and mentorship, modeling resilience, discipline, and compassion. Whether in the clinic, classroom, or community, she strives each day to grow stronger, in knowledge, character, and service, living by the belief that excellence is built through consistency, heart, and purpose.
Joel Mantilla is a fourth-year medical student at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, graduating in April 2026. Born and raised in Miami, Florida and is the first person in his family to attend college. He attended his first two years of college at Miami-Dade Honors College, then transferred to Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and history. Additionally, he graduated from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health twice, first in 2014 with a Master’s in Health Sciences in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a concentration in cancer biology, and in 2020 with a Master’s in Applied Sciences in Population Health Management, for which he was inducted into the Delta Omega Public Health Honors Society. From 2014-2020, Joel was the Director of Health IT for Primary Care Physicians of Florida, a large multidisciplinary primary care practice in Broward County, Florida, where he led quality improvement transformation and led reporting to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In 2020, Joel branched out on his own and established a medical consulting firm, in which he advised South Florida physicians, large practices, and hospital systems on value-based care transformation and federal reporting.
Joel was inspired to pursue medicine as his true calling after being inspired by his father and mentor, Dr. William Pena, who established deep professional collaborative bonds and friendships with everyone they met. Joel chose FIU for his medical education due to their emphasis on a holistic education to health beyond the four walls of the exam room. In medical school, Joel has excelled, being awarded national honors such as being one of 50 students nationwide to win the 2024 Alpha Omega Alpha Carolyn Kucklein National Research Fellowship for his work in health policy research, one of 30 students nationwide to win the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Conquer Cancer Foundation Medical Student Research Award for his interest in cardio-oncology outcomes research, and was named the 2025 Florida American College of Physicians Medical Student of the Year. He was also inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society and the Arnold P. Gold, Gold Humanism Honors Society. Inspired by his father, who passed away from cancer during medical school, Joel will be pursuing an Internal Medicine residency after graduation, with plans to pursue a fellowship in Cardiology and continue research in cardio-oncology health policy. Inspired by his lived experience and mentors, he aims to treat patients and colleagues with empathy, respect, and compassion, and mentor future generations of physicians in academic medicine.
Learn more about the Robert Kemper M.D., PhD. Award for Professionalism in Medicine
FEB 28 | Robert Kemper KB Rib Off
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 @ 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM – KB RIB OFF: The KB Rib Off is an exciting event in memory of Bob Kemper, benefitting Dr. Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine, recognizing exceptional students at the FIU Herbert Werthein College of Medicine. Read on…
2026 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine
The 2026 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine is presented by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation & the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. This year’s recipients are Rima Avellan and Joel Mantilla.
Apr 3 | 2025 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine
The 2025 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine is on Thursday, April 3, 2025, and is presented by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation & the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. This year’s recipients are Zachary Blashinsky and Kalin Stoyanov.
Key Biscayne Rib Off
SATURDAY, MARCH 1 @ 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM – KB RIB OFF: The KB Rib Off is an exciting event in memory of Bob Kemper, benefitting Dr. Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine, recognizing exceptional students at the FIU Herbert Werthein College of Medicine. Read on…
Two recognized for winning the Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine awards
This month, the Key Biscayne Community Foundation and community members gathered at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club to award the 2024 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine to Brooke Schwartz and Oreoluwa Olorunlogbon. The Kemper Award is named in memory of Dr. Robert Kemper, who exemplified the highest qualities of medical professionalism until his
Apr 10 | 2024 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine
{{ vc_btn: title=Make+a+Donation+Today&style=classic&shape=square&color=juicy-pink&align=center&button_block=true&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.paypal.com%252Fcgi-bin%252Fwebscr%253Fcmd%253D_s-xclick%2526hosted_button_id%253DMA76ZZRYLQPFN%7Ctarget%3A_blank }} The 2024 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine is on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, and is presented by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation & the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. This year’s recipients are Oreoluwa Olorunlogbon and Brooke Schwartz. Oreoluwa Olorunlogbon,or Ore as he is fondly
Key Biscayne Rib Off | Jan 27
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27: KEY BISCAYNE RIB OFF Please join us for some good times and some seriously good ribs at the 2024 KB Rib Off, our 18th annual event honoring Dr. Bob Kemper and benefiting the Dr. Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine! For more information and event details, click here.
17th Annual KB Rib Off
Join us April 15th from 3:00-11:00PM for the 17th Annual Rib Off in memory of Dr. Robert Kemper at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. Proceeds and donations to benefit the Dr. Robert Kemper award for Professionalism in Medicine. For more info call 305-361-2770.
2023 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine
{{ vc_btn: title=Make+a+Donation+Today&style=classic&shape=square&color=juicy-pink&align=center&button_block=true&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.paypal.com%252Fcgi-bin%252Fwebscr%253Fcmd%253D_s-xclick%2526hosted_button_id%253DMA76ZZRYLQPFN%7Ctarget%3A_blank }} The 2023 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine is on Tuesday, April 25, 2022, and is presented by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation & the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. This year’s recipients are Addison Brown and Allison Lindsey. Addison Brown is a fourth-year medical student
2022 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine
The 2022 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine was held on Thursday, April 7, 2022, and is presented by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation & the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. This year’s recipients are Miranda Ricart and Samantha Rodriguez Miranda Ricart is a fourth year medical student at Florida
The 2021 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine
The 2021 Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2021, and is presented by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation & the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. This year’s recipient is David Dorcius David Dorcius graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from
14th Annual Key Biscayne Rib-Off
14th Annual Rib Off in memory of Dr. Robert Kemper at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. Proceeds and donations to benefit the Dr. Robert Kemper award for Professionalism in Medicine. Saturday, February 29, 2020 Party Starts at 4Pm at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club Lou’s Dogs playing from 4:30-7:30, DJ Yoe will entertain from 8:00 to midnight. For tickets
Bob Kemper Memorial Rib-Off
BOB KEMPER MEMORIAL KEY BISCAYNE RIB OFF RULES AND REGULATIONS DATE: June 1, 2019 LOCATION: KEY BISCAYNE YACHT CLUB: A. SUMMARY The 13th annual Bob Kemper Memorial Key Biscayne Rib Offwill be held Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Key Biscayne Yacht Club. The entry fee for a team is $100.00 (for two persons) and includes
Robert Kemper Award
Please join us for the 2019 annual Robert Kemper Award ceremony on Thursday, April 11th. 6:00-8:00 PM Fairways on the Green ( Crandon Golf Course ) 6700 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, Fl 33149 Please RSVP to: info@keybiscaynefoundation.org Donations Suggested
Mark Haimes Recognized with Award for Professionalism in Medicine
Through the combined efforts of The Key Biscayne Community Foundation and The Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University, the Fourth Annual Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine was awarded on Thursday, April 21, 2016. 2016 Award Recipient Mark Haimes The 2016 winner of the Robert Kemper, M.D., Ph.D., Award for Professionalism in Medicine was Mark Haimes. He
Dr. Robert Kemper Award
We are pleased to announce the first recipient of the Dr. Robert Kemper Award for Professionalism in Medicine Scholarship has been selected. Congratulations to Michael Hann, a third-year student and officer in the U.S. Navy who according to Dr. Eugenio Rothe was the “overwhelming choice” for the award due to his commitment to the qualities the award stands for: integrity, compassion, caring, etc.
We look forward to honoring Hann on Friday, February 22nd, 2013 from 11:30am to 1:30 pm at The Links.