Dr. Allan D. Levi Honored with the Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Endowed Chair in Neurological Surgery
The prestigious honor recognizes his groundbreaking work in cellular transplantation for nerve injuries and his leadership in treating spinal and peripheral nerve disorders.
Allan Levi, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, was honored with the Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Endowed Chair in Neurological Surgery on June 3. The prestigious honor recognizes his groundbreaking work in cellular transplantation for nerve injuries and his leadership in treating spinal and peripheral nerve disorders.
A distinguished clinician-scientist, Dr. Levi leads both a busy neurosurgical practice and a robust clinical research program. His work is focused on the management of patients with spine and spinal cord injuries, spinal tumors, degenerative and inflammatory arthritis of the spine and peripheral nerve disorders.
Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A., dean and chief academic officer of the Miller School, welcomed Dr. Levi’s family and friends, donors and UHealth and Miller School faculty and staff to the endowed chair ceremony, which recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding faculty members.
“An endowed chair is one of the highest academic honors that the university can bestow upon a faculty member,” said Dean Ford. “They work long and arduous hours researching novel ideas in pursuit of discoveries that will hopefully be translated into clinical information to improve the health of humanity. It is a testament to their dedication and commitment to the relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense, Dr. Levi’s research is laying the groundwork for therapies to regenerate nerve tissue and restore lost function. The endowed chair will support this work in perpetuity, advancing breakthroughs in conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and diabetic neuropathy.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to focus on finding cures for devastating neurological diseases,” said Dr. Levi, also professor of orthopedics and rehabilitation medicine and former holder of the Robert M. Buck Distinguished Chair in Neurological Surgery.
A Career of Vision and Dedication
Dr. Levi’s career began at the University of Miami, where he earned his Ph.D. under the supervision of Schwann cell biology pioneer Richard P. Bunge, M.D. After advanced training at the University of Toronto and the Barrow Neurological Institute, Dr. Levi returned to the Miller School in 1997.
Today, he serves as clinical director of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a Center of Excellence at the Miller School where multidisciplinary teams develop cutting-edge treatments for traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
Throughout his career, Dr. Levi has also demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to education and mentorship. The former director of the Miller School’s neurosurgical spine fellowship and the longstanding director of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons’ Goodman oral board preparation course, Dr. Levi has mentored countless accomplished neurosurgeons.
“Dr. Levi is a shining example of the excellence that has become synonymous with UHealth and the Miller School,” said Dean Ford. “On behalf of the entire Miller School family, we thank him for his outstanding accomplishments and contributions to our health system and school of medicine.”
A Commitment to the Future
Guillermo “Willy” Prado, Ph.D., interim executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Miami, spoke of the significance of Dr. Levi’s research and congratulated him on his well-deserved honor.
“Endowed chairs really fuel the research enterprise of the institution in perpetuity,” said Dr. Prado. “They are a key part of the university’s present and future.”
He applauded Dr. Levi for his many roles.
“It takes a special type of person and scholar to be a chair with other administrative roles, in addition to pursuing clinical work and research,” said Dr. Prado. “I know that you will continue to advance the field and continue to train and mentor the next generation under you. You are an incredible source of pride for all of us.”
Eduardo Alfonso, M.D., director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Miller School and the Kathleen and the Stanley J. Glaser Endowed Professor in Ophthalmology, spoke about the importance of donors.
“It is the unwavering dedication of our supporters that take our medical advances further in our pursuit of excellence,” said Dr. Alfonso. “They improve our ability to provide innovative clinical care, clinical trials and new therapeutics for all the patients we serve.”
Tags: Department of Neurological Surgery, Dr. Allan Levi, endowed chair, neurosurgery, spinal cord injuries