Alumnus Dr. Carlos Levy (D.O. ’87) Earns Acclaim for Assisting Domestic Violence Victims

Becoming an ardent advocate for domestic violence victims was not something Carlos G. Levy, D.O., envisioned becoming when he received a plea in the mail from Florida Governor Jeb Bush several years ago.

The mass mailing, which was sent to all Florida-based physicians, dentists, and chiropractors, served as a heartfelt appeal for the recipients to donate their time and services to abused and battered women throughout Florida. In the end, the governor’s entreaty didn’t trigger an outpouring of altruism. However, it did strike a nerve with Dr. Levy, who contacted Women In Distress of Broward County, which is the county’s only state certified and nationally accredited comprehensive domestic violence center.

“When I received the information I said, ‘Wow, I have a lot of patients who fall under this category.’ So I called up Women in Distress and met with the volunteer coordinator,” said Dr. Levy, who graduated from Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1987. “I wanted to make a difference, so I volunteered to provide free medical care for their clients at my family practice office. Sadly, many of these women have been in abusive relationships for quite some time and have no money, insurance, or self-esteem.”  Click here to see photo. (more)

In addition to volunteering his own time and expertise, Dr. Levy managed to convince some of the diagnostic laboratories he works with to donate their services as well. “As a result, the women don’t get charged a dime,” he proudly stated. “And that’s important because domestic violence knows no age, cultural, or socioeconomic bounds, and many of these women haven’t had any health care in years.”

One particularly poignant case touched Dr. Levy so deeply that it compelled him to become the woman’s savior in ways that extended far beyond the medical realm. “One day I treated a 68-year-old woman who had been in an abusive marriage for over 40 years, but when it escalated to the point where her husband put a knife to her, she finally found the courage to leave,” he recalled. “She had no training, but I used my connections to help get her a job as a receptionist. It’s a vicious cycle in the sense that because these women have been trapped in an abusive relationship for so many years, they’re brainwashed by their abusers into thinking they deserve to be treated so badly.”

Because he was so moved by the plight of abused women, Dr. Levy decided to take his volunteerism to another level by organizing an ongoing clothing, toy, and shoe drive. Thanks to the generosity of his family, patients, and friends, Dr. Levy receives a constant flow of items, which are then sold at the Women in Distress thrift store to raise money for the organization’s clients. “My patients bring me clothing on a daily basis, so I collect everything and store it at my house,” he explained. “It’s really rewarding to see how my patients and children have joined the cause as well. Sometimes I think my wife is going to throw me out of the house because I have so much stuff piling up, but once I collect enough items, one of my patients will come over and help me load everything into his truck to take to the thrift shop.”

In April 2005, Dr. Levy received some well-deserved recognition for his philanthropic efforts when he was presented with a Governor’s Peace at Home Award at a special ceremony held at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. The awards are granted in several categories to individuals or organizations that have worked in their respective areas to develop, enhance, or promote programs that raise awareness and help to decrease the incidences of domestic violence. Overall awards also are presented to individuals and organizations whose efforts toward ending domestic violence far exceed the requirements of their employment, organizational mission, or program activities.

“My feeling has always been the more you give—and the more you give unconditionally—the more the laws of physics mandate that it will come back to you tenfold,” said Dr. Levy, who also provides lectures to local physician groups and other organizations on domestic abuse. “Winning the award was a great thrill, but nothing could replace the feeling of satisfaction I get from the work I do. Getting a hug, a kiss, and a thank you from a patient is the most priceless gift I could ever receive.”