On August 26, 2015, Atrium Health Foundation announced that The Leon Levine Foundation has committed $3 million to initiate a new psychiatry residency program at Carolinas Medical Center. As a result of the grant, Atrium Health will further develop the most comprehensive, integrated behavioral health delivery system in the region, offering inpatient, outpatient, school-based, crisis, and residential treatment programs.
“This new initiative presents us with an exciting opportunity to comprehensively educate and train talented young psychiatrists for our expanding behavioral health programs,” said Michael Tarwater, CEO of Atrium Health. “We are deeply honored to have Leon and Sandra Levine associated with this initiative as well as some of the most distinctive healthcare facilities within Atrium Health.”
The four-year accredited program, which will be named The Sandra and Leon Levine Psychiatry Residency Program, will instruct 12 medical residents, helping meet a pressing need for talented physicians providing behavioral health services in this region. The program embodies the steadfast commitment by the System and The Leon Levine Foundation to expand mental health services and education, as well as to address the behavioral health crisis in this region and build a model for healthcare organizations across the country.
“We are pleased to support Atrium Health and their vision to expand critically needed behavioral health programs for patients and families in our area,” said Leon Levine.
By emphasizing access at the primary care level and now adding an academic component, the System is establishing a new model for major healthcare systems. The residency program will utilize several training sites across the System, including: Behavioral Health Charlotte; The Mindy Ellen Levine Behavioral Health Center in Davidson; Kings Mountain; Blue Ridge; Carolinas Medical Center Mercy; NorthEast; Stanly Regional Medical Center; and Union Behavioral Health First Step.
“Philanthropic support is essential to fulfill Atrium Health’s mission of transforming and enhancing the delivery of healthcare for our patients, their families, and our Carolinas community,” said Scott Kerr, President of Atrium Health Foundation. “We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary generosity and philanthropic vision of The Leon Levine Foundation. Enhanced academic programs bring positive recognition and research to our System and the region.”
Atrium Health, one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout North and South Carolina. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Atrium Health works to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of its communities through high quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.
The Leon Levine Foundation seeks to create permanent, measurable, life-changing impact by investing in organizations with highly effective leadership, a track record of success, and a focus on sustainability, particularly in the areas of healthcare, education, Jewish communities, and human services.
For more information contact: Kirstin Ashford, Atrium Health Foundation, 704-355-4327