Carl J. Levinson M.D.

Levinson, Carl J., M.D. On Monday, November 21, 2011, Dr. Carl J. Levinson, pioneering Gynecologist in minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of women's diseases and infertility, passed away in Menlo Park, CA, from complications of a fall he suffered on November 19, 2011, at the age of 84. Dr. Levinson, born in New York City, began his practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1957 in Milwaukee, WI after finishing his residency at Beth Israel Hospital in New York, NY. While in Milwaukee, he practiced at both Mt. Sinai and St. Luke's Hospitals. In addition to his private practice, he was actively involved in clinical teaching at the Medical College of Wisconsin (formerly Marquette Medical School), and published many clinical research articles and contributed to several seminal medical books. In 1970, he became the first full-time chairman of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mt. Sinai Hospital, established an infertility center and specialized in developing laparoscopy and other minimally invasive surgical techniques, which were in their infancy at that time. While laparoscopy was initially used for strictly diagnostic purposes, Dr. Levinson worked with other pioneers in the field to create more advanced procedures, including fallopian tubal sterilization, resolution of ectopic pregnancies, and management of infertility conditions. Subsequently, he and several colleagues established the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists (AAGL) 40 years ago, which has grown into an international organization with more than 5,000 physician members. As a member of the AAGL Board of Directors and President in 1979, he presented and published numerous clinical research papers, while educating and training many young physicians. Dr. Levinson moved to Houston, Texas in 1973 to join Dr. Raymond Kaufman, his long-time friend and colleague, Chairman of the Dept. of OB/GYN at Baylor College of Medicine, where he developed an endoscopic training program. In 1980 he became the first full-time Chairman of OB/GYN at Children's Hospital, an affiliate of University of California, San Francisco Medical School (currently California Pacific Medical Center). As Chairman, he was responsible for educating and training residents in minimally invasive gynecological surgeries and infertility treatment. In 1991, Dr. Levinson helped establish the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS), a multi-specialty society which included gynecologists, general surgeons, and urologists all performing laparoscopic minimally invasive surgeries with common issues. He became President of this organization in 1996. Upon retiring from active surgery in 1993, Dr. Levinson joined the faculty of Stanford University Medical School, establishing a minimally invasive surgical training center. He continued active participation in both AAGL and SLS. After retiring from Standford in 1996, Dr. Levinson became a consultant and participant in a number of startup medical device companies. As a result of his dedication to the profession and women's healthcare, Dr. Levinson will be remembered as a significant contributor to more advanced management and treatment of women's gynecological problems, and as a mentor to countless young physicians around the world. He is survived by his wife Naomi, sons, Marc and Neil, three grandchildren, Paige, Drew, and Jamie, and his sister, Joan. Memorial Services will be held on Monday, December 19, at 1 PM PST at Congregation Beth Am, 226790 Arastradero Rd. Los Altos Hills, CA 94022.