Dr. Sidney Levin will be remembered as a visionary who was more of a father than a supervisor to the pediatricians he hired and nurtured at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville. One after the other at his memorial service in the college’s Learning Resource Center auditorium on July 15, physicians praised his strict yet affectionate way of guiding them from apprehensive residents to confident clinicians.
Levin served as chair of the department of pediatrics and director of the pediatric residency program from his arrival in Jacksonville from Johns Hopkins University in 1968 until 1989. Current department chair Dr. Thomas Chiu recalled visiting Levin in the hospital in his final days. "Tom, remember you are my son," Levin told him. "Your son is here to wish you a Happy Father’s Day," Chiu told Levin when he returned on June 20, the day before the holiday. Chiu thought he saw Levin smile. He died within the hour at age 78.
Chiu credits Levin with building the department and laying the foundation for today’s progressive and respected pediatrics program. "Sidney Levin was the best clinician to come out of Hopkins," said Chiu, quoting a former chair of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins who visited Jacksonville.
Dr. Robert Nuss, dean of the regional campus, said Levin took them from humble beginnings to a "prestigious and well-recognized health center. It was my privilege to have worked with him."
Dr. Joseph Chiaro, deputy secretary, Children’s Medical Services, called Levin’s death "the passing of an institution." Dr. Gerold Schiebler, distinguished service professor emeritus for the department of pediatrics in Jacksonville, said Levin lived and breathed academic excellence.
A Maryland native, Levin completed his internship, residency and fellowship in 1963 at Johns Hopkins, where he served on the faculty until coming to Jacksonville. In addition to chair of pediatrics, he served as chief of emergency medicine at University Medical Center, a predecessor to Shands Jacksonville, from 1979 to 1981. He held every major administrative position of the faculty and hospital, including president of the medical staff. Levin retired from the faculty in 1998 as an emeritus professor but continued to serve as a mentor and counselor.
Sandy L. Barata, administrative director of the department of pediatrics who organized the service, said many of the hundreds of pediatricians Levin trained contacted the department upon hearing of his death to say he taught them everything they know about pediatrics. Some of the letters recalling memories were read at the service.
Dr. Ronald Rhatigan, a professor of the department of pathology and laboratory medicine, recalled meeting Levin when he arrived in Jacksonville for recruitment at the former Duval Medical Center in a fire engine red Oldsmobile convertible. "Duval Medical Center began a long metamorphosis to the University of Florida College of Medicine," Rhatigan said, "and we soon became allies, then close friends."
Dr. Robert Luten, a professor of emergency medicine, division of pediatric emergency medicine, called Levin a pioneer in pediatric medicine. "He said that in your training as a physician there are two principal issues—service to the patient and academics," Luten recalled. "If you do the first one well, the second will take care of itself."
Elizabeth Means tearfully talked about Levin’s disdain for segregation. "Dr. Levin walked in and said, ‘No longer will there be two separate places to treat our children. All are equal," said Means, who started as a pediatric nurse, retired as vice president of community relations for Shands Jacksonville and returned as a consultant for Shands’ administration.
Levin’s compassion, sense of humor and passion for teaching and learning were common threads of nearly every reminiscence. Dr. Mobeen Rathore, a professor of the department of pediatrics, division of pediatric infectious diseases and immunology, captured the sentiments of all at the close of the service: "Good person, good doctor, good friend."