Sheffield health heroes honoured at British Muslim Health Awards
16 January 2026
A palliative medicine doctor and chaplain from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been honoured for their outstanding contribution to the UK’s health and care sector in the first ever British Muslim Health Awards, established by the British Islamic Medical Awards (BIMA).
Dr Maimoona Ali, a consultant in palliative medicine and chaplain Sabia Rehman were recognised in the ‘Doctor of the Year’ and ‘Chaplain of the Year’ categories respectively.
The awards recognise the significant impact of Muslim healthcare professionals across the health and care sector. They also aim to provide positive role models and counter misconceptions.
Dr Ali provides specialised palliative care that focuses on improving the quality of life for patients who have a life-limiting illness across Sheffield’s adult hospitals. Central to this is the management of pain and other symptoms alongside the provision of physical, psychosocial and spiritual support for patients and their families.
Speaking about her nomination, Maimoona said:
“Palliative care is a relatively small medical speciality, which is growing in influence, so to be recognised at the first ever British Muslim Health Awards is a huge achievement for me. I’m very proud of being a British Muslim female doctor from Sheffield.”
Also recognised was chaplain Sabia Rehman.
Sabia works as part of a wider hospital chaplaincy team, providing spiritual, religious and pastoral care to patients and their families at deeply personal moments in their life, irrespective of their faith and belief. Her pioneering work has played a key role in establishing Muslim chaplaincy provision across Sheffield, helping to ensure spiritual care that is both professionally grounded and faith informed.
She is vice chair of the National Burial Council, national lead for end-of-life care at BIMA, and trustee of the Centre for Islam and Medicine. In these roles, she contributes to national policy, education, and advocacy on bereavement care, timely burial and culturally sensitive end-of-life care, presenting her work at national and international forums.
Speaking about her nomination, Sabia said:
“It was such a privilege to be nominated for this award and being in a space where chaplaincy was recognised was humbling in itself.”
Kirsten Major, Chief Executive, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“This is wonderful recognition for Sabia and Maimoona who are exceptional role models. Their dedication, care and humility touches the lives of our patients and families at deeply significant moments in their lives. To be honoured at the very first British Muslim Health Awards is a testament to the ongoing impact of their work both within Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and in the wider community.”
ENDS
