Sandra and Leon Levine
The Leon Levine Foundation (TLLF) has awarded $350,000 to Palmetto Health Foundation to name the Sandra and Leon Levine Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Center at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. The Center will be the first and only pediatric inpatient rehabilitation program in South Carolina.
Each year, there are more than 150,000 children’s visits to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. Some children experience a life-altering condition or injury and require specialized rehabilitation. Because an inpatient pediatric rehabilitation program does not currently exist in South Carolina, patients and families are faced with challenges when they have to go out-of-state for care. Often, families are unexpectedly uprooted for months at a time. Children from low-income families bear the brunt of this burden, as their families do not have the resources to travel, stay for an extended period away and coordinate care for their other children. As a result, these children usually do not receive critical rehabilitative services. The effect of not receiving appropriate rehabilitative care can have a long-term negative impact on a child’s physical recovery. The Sandra and Leon Levine Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Center at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital will bridge this gap. Construction is now underway, with an anticipated completion timeframe of Spring 2019.
TLLF, located in Charlotte, N.C., seeks to improve the human condition by creating permanent, measurable and life-changing impact. The gift to support the Rehabilitation Center expands the foundation’s philanthropic footprint to South Carolina and honors the legacy of Leon Levine, founder, and his wife, Sandra.
Tom Lawrence, executive director of TLLF, said: “We know that many patients and their families have been traveling to Charlotte and receiving rehabilitation services from the wonderful team at Levine Children’s Hospital. While we are encouraged to hear that our investment in Charlotte has impacted children from numerous communities, TLLF believes it is essential for Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital to have a rehabilitation center of its own.” He concluded: “Making quality health care more accessible to those in need is a key component of the foundation’s health care mission, and we’re excited to play a part in the growth of this tremendous hospital.”
The Sandra and Leon Levine Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Center at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital will improve access to health care for South Carolina children and their families and will have a significant impact on the vision of Children’s Hospital. The Center will be led by Colleen A. Wunderlich, MD, MSc, the state’s only pediatric physiatrist. Pediatric physiatrists are physicians with special training in physical medicine and rehabilitation, who specialize in prescribing medications, therapies and programs to restore skills and mobility to children facing temporary or permanent disabilities and loss of function.
“We are thrilled that TLLF has chosen our Pediatric Inpatient Rehab Center at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital as their first opportunity to make a difference in the health care of South Carolina residents,” said Dr. Wunderlich. “Together with other generous donors, their support will help build the state’s first pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit to bring these much-needed services to children and adolescents in South Carolina—allowing their families to stay in their home state when dealing with life-altering conditions and traumatic injuries.”
The partnership between TLLF and Palmetto Health Foundation solidifies both Foundations’ commitment to improve access to quality health care in local communities.
“Sandra and Leon Levine have given an incredible gift to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital,” said Samuel Tenenbaum, president, Palmetto Health Foundation. “Their generosity, tireless efforts and big hearts will have a lasting impact in our community. We are forever grateful for their kindness and are honored to help them carry out their mission.”
For more information or to support the project, visit PalmettoHealthFoundation.org.
About The Leon Levine Foundation
Started by Leon Levine – the founder of the first Family Dollar Store in Charlotte, N.C. – in 1980, The Leon Levine Foundation’s mission is to improve the human condition by creating permanent, measurable, and life-changing impact throughout the Carolinas. The organization invests in nonprofits with strong leadership, a successful track record, and a focus on sustainability in the areas of health care, education, Jewish values, and human services. For more information, please visit www.leonlevinefoundation.org.
About Palmetto Health Foundation
Palmetto Health Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, engages community partners to enhance health care for patients and families served by Palmetto Health. For more information, visit PalmettoHealthFoundation.org.
About Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital
Palmetto Health Children's Hospital is South Carolina’s first children's hospital and has more than 150,000 children’s visits each year. It offers more than 30 subspecialties to meet the unique health care needs of children and has central South Carolina's only Children’s Emergency Center. With more than 350 professionals who work exclusively with children, Palmetto Health Children's Hospital has a team of highly skilled and trained experts unmatched by any hospital in the Midlands. Palmetto Health Children's Hospital is the place to go for children's medical care, because the best care matters. Visit PalmettoHealthChildrens.org for more information.
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