Miracle Makers: William Levine

Outstanding Commitment by an Individual

Giving Back to his Community with Spirit

William Levine has been a generous donor to Golisano Children’s Hospital for the past 14 years. His name is revered throughout the University of Rochester for the generous spirit with which he gives back to his community. We are proud to celebrate Levine’s continuous generosity in the name of our community’s children by presenting him with the Miracle Maker Award for Outstanding Commitment by an Individual.

“Bill has always put our community first. His generosity with the University of Rochester Medical Center reflects a broader understanding of the importance of investing in our region’s future,” said Bradford C. Berk, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of the Medical Center.

Over the years, Levine has been an incredible contributor to our region’s children, including sponsoring many of the children’s hospital’s galas and serving as honorary chair of the gala in 2004. But Levine’s most transformative and generous gift to Golisano Children’s Hospital was helping to fund one of the children’s hospital’s crowning achievements: the William and Mildred Levine Pediatric Surgical Suite.

The suite, which opened in June 2006, helps the more than 6,600 children each year who undergo surgery at Golisano Children’s Hospital, by providing pre- and post-operative care that is specifically catered to meet a child’s needs. All pediatric surgeries that require anesthesia, aside from cardiac surgery, take place in this suite.

The William and Mildred Levine Pediatric Surgical Suite is recognizably a space for children and their families, providing a seaside background in the halls and the waiting room to create a calming ambiance for kids. A pre-operative room in the suite offers families a space to be with their children minutes before surgery. After surgery, parents can speak with their surgeon and then go to a Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit, where their child is being monitored. Before the suite, this space was shared with adults and didn’t allow for parents to visit their children immediately after surgery.

With 21 great-grandchildren—16 girls and five boys—Levine strongly believes in helping children at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. “They’re our future citizens,” said Levine.

Levine’s grandson, Todd Levine, is on the Board of Directors for Golisano Children’s Hospital. “He’s a very charitable person,” explains Levine. Todd is clearly taking after his grandfather, who has contributed to other projects for the University of Rochester as well, including the William and Mildred Levine Pavilion.

With a lifetime of charitable giving under his belt, Levine remains an active member in the community. “I’m 93 now and I’m still going to work every day, still active, and still giving,” explained Levine.