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STEPHEN LEVIN Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for STEPHEN LEVIN
Vincent Forras
February 4, 2020
Not a day goes by that Doc is not on my mind. This was one of the finest men I had ever met and his love for his patients shined through like no other. He helped me through my darkest of times being a firefighter who served at ground zero on 9/11. I was proud to help Doc get his first seed money for the program that eventually became what it is by my speech to the folks at Bear Sterns. I am deeply grateful that GOD gave me the proper words to say. Doc also was a member of our Board Of Directors at Gear Up Foundation and afternoon his passing I made good on my pledge to include his name on our American Tribute Flag for his service to our 9/11 community. His name is the only non-first responder to appear in the blue star field of our flag showing the utmost respect to this incredible man. Every flag that we produced after his passing has and will always have his name to honor him. Anyone interested in displaying your own flag please contact me directly: [email protected]
God bless the Doc! Cousin Vinny & Mónica
February 29, 2012
This editorial may never see daylight so I thought I'd put it here.
I met Dr. Stephen Levin, M.D. in early 1968. The movement for quality, preventive, door-to-door testing, healthcare, free of charge, as a right to all people regardless of economic status, was at its height among the youth in New York City. We really believed we could wipe-out lead poisoning in children and put a dent in the high rates of infant mortality and asthma, begin much needed research on sickle cell disease, end anemia, diabetes, hypertension, and other preventable diseases. I was working with a number of groups that naively believed we could arrive at these outcomes if we just worked hard enough, and if we just advocated and influenced public policy enough, we could also achieve an end to the overwhelming plague of drug addiction in poor communities like the South Bronx and Harlem. We wanted to acquire good health care for all.
When our group designed and initiated the first community based drug rehabilitation program for the community at Lincoln Hospital, I asked this wonderful, very smart young doctor with whom I had worked, and knew to be able and trustworthy, to be our first Medical Director. That was Dr. Stephen Levin, M.D. Little did I know what a good friend the community had chosen for the task. From that point on, the Think Lincoln Committee, representing the community, the Health Revolutionary Unity Movement, (HRUM), representing hospital workers and the Young Lords Party (YLP), a strong advocacy group and their leaders were helped enormously by Dr. Levin. I don't think we every paid him, but he was always there to give us guidance, to lend his expertise, and whatever support we needed for our programs and projects. Dr. Steve, as we called him, set the standard for the individuals and groups of doctors with whom we worked and who supported our goals, from that time forward.
To his colleagues, here at Mount Sinai Department of Preventive Medicine, almost to a person, Dr. Stephen M. Levin was one of the kindest most open, and caring individuals many of us have met In a lifetime Steve was a standard bearer for us, in every area of life. If you were visiting the second floor of the CAM building at Mount Sinai, your only hesitation might be ; Dr. Levin was always so busy you didn't want to disturb him, but if you knocked or stuck your head in to say hi!, he would automatically invite you in to see how things were going. The same would be true if you met him on the street, at a conference , a street festival, or if you were accompanying him to a union hall or radio station to give a presentation. He always had a minute for his colleagues, his family and his friends.
That is not to say that Steve did not set rigorous intellectual standards for us to attain. He held the bar extremely high for his colleagues. He was a bit of a tough guy too. Dr. Levin was a brilliant and serious task master when it came to work in the clinic. In my own experience he demanded the same perfection from those with whom he shared responsibility for workers health as he did for himself. Each time I found myself on the other side of the desk working on a task connected to outreaching to workers and labor leaders and health and safety activists in New York City, I got another opportunity to enhance my skills. During those encounters I learned so much that no value can be placed on what was gained in knowledge about science, philosophical questions, medicine, “bedside manner”, labor history; what is necessary for us to do in the field of health and safety for the future; whether we need an association of health & safety outreach professionals; how to write a concise paragraph in the Advisory Board's minutes while allowing everyone who read it to feel included. In a very short time, we could cover all those issues and miraculously come out with a plan of work for the next six-month period. That is why I loved working with the man.
One of his medical colleagues, Dr. Elizabeth Wilk-Rivard said of him, ”During my conversations with Dr. Levin he frequently mentioned that occupational medicine physicians are obligated to make a difference in patients health and well being through proper diagnosis of occupational diseases and prevention.” That sounds like the way he would see the role of occupational medicine physicians.
The one thing about Dr. Levin that has not received a great deal of recognition in the last few days, is his work as a champion for civil rights, equality and justice for all people. Dr. Steve was not always vocal in his views on this subject, but you could see all around him, the way he lived his life, who his friends were, and how he treated every individual. It was clear that he was a genuine champion of equality for all and as they say in the Civil Rights Movement “A man of the People”.
william jacobsen
February 16, 2012
I was a patient of Dr. Levin. He did not treat diseases, he helped people. When you lose you job, your insurance and the medication you need to breathe you can also lose hope. I did not because Dr. Levin found a way to get me the help I needed. It could be a long wait to see him because he gave every patient the time they needed. We will miss him.
February 15, 2012
As a member of the Fernald II Worker Settlement Fund panel, I had the privilege of working with Steve Levin along with John Balmes and Pam Mallory via conference call every two weeks. This has been a bi-weekly event for more than ten years. Steve's input and perspective will be missed very much. I also spent time with Robin and Steve in Libby, Montana including trout fishing along the Kootenai River and in the winter, snowball fights. Steve was a worker advocate, a colleague, and a friend, and he will be sorely missed, but never forgotten. Rest in peace, our friend. Jim Lockey
Dennis LeGear
February 13, 2012
If you work with your hands, are exposed to toxic compounds, are among the working class of manual labors, this includes of course firefighters, we lost a champion of occupational medicine last week on Tuesday. This is a significant loss to humanity in my opinion; thanks for all the hard work related to 9/11 you will be missed.
lisa mccally
February 13, 2012
Steve, it was so great to see you a couple weeks ago. Your spirit, dedication and love for life and all you touch is inspiring. It is joy to have known you and spent time with you through your wife and my dear friend, Robin. I love you, Lisa
Jenna and Lee Block
February 12, 2012
Our deepest condolences to our dear friend Robin and Steve's children and family. Steve was a wonderful person and held in such high esteem by all. We are fortunate to have known him and to see how he and Robin complemented each other. We are so sorry for your loss and are keeping you in our thoughts and wishing you comfort.
Tim and Janet Reid
February 12, 2012
It is with great sadness that we read of Steve's passing. He was such kind, gentle, generous man. We feel blessed to have known him and his life will be an inspiration for us to follow. Our condolences to Robin and to his entire family.
Donna Flayhan
February 11, 2012
Dr. Levin was a good man. I am a researcher and advocate in public health with a specialization in toxic exposures. I remember first seeing Dr. Stephen Levin's face on television news when I was still living in Baltimore and working on Gulf War Syndrome. Those of us in public health were very worried when the towers came down, could not believe they did not send hazmat crews. I saw Dr. Levin look directly into the camera and say "we don't need blood, we need Asbestos grade respirators..." He and his team seemed to be the only voice of sanity and care for those being exposed. Then, years later I met Dr. Levin at a conference where he spoke. It was sponsored by Unsung Heroes Helping Heroes, and Dr. Levin looked me in the eye when I explained the project and on the spot he agreed to appear in the film funded by my Lower Manhattan Public Health Project Grant, The Toxic Aftermath of 9/11: A Looming Health Disaster. In the film Dr. Levin looked right into the camera and talked about just how sick the heroes of 9/11 had become...Sorry to hear of his passing, proud that our paths crossed fighting the good fight, and grateful for all of the work he did to help the sick rescue, recovery, clean-up workers, and residents of Lower Manhattan in the toxic aftermath of 9/11.
Barb and Jim Davidson
February 10, 2012
Joey and Kate our hearts go out to you both. I will be there for the Memorial and know that Spencer, Travis, Jim and I am so very sorry. Your Dad was a friend and a devoted Dad. Our Love and prayers.
vincent forras
February 10, 2012
I am deeply saddened at the passing of my doctor, dear friend, board member of Gear Up Foundation and one of the kindest most decent men I have ever known. I feel truly blessed to have called him my brother and we will all miss him terribly. My heart is broken at his passing.....vinny forras, founder Gear Up Foundation....
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