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Children’s Hospital of Michigan Lobby Naming Ceremony to reveal interactive donor wall for patients and families
The Children’s Foundation announces today that John G. Levy, former Chair of the Governing Board at Detroit Medical Center and former Trustee at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, will be celebrated for his philanthropic legacy and indelible mark on the Detroit community at a Lobby Naming Ceremony at Children’s Hospital of Michigan (Children’s Hospital).
The ceremony will reveal an interactive donor wall with playful elements for children. Donors helped raise more than $375,000 toward the John G. Levy Endowment held at the Children’s Foundation which will support Child Life Services at the Children’s Hospital. Child Life Services are hospital care programs that bring comfort and joy to children enduring illness and injury during a difficult time. Child Life Services includes art, music, yoga, pet therapy and much more. Studies show Child Life Services result in cost savings, including reduced length of stay, decreased sedation needs, and improved overall hospital experiences.
John Levy began volunteering at Children’s Hospital in his mid-twenties, leading to 45 years of service at Children’s Hospital and the Detroit Medical Center. Eventually he would become the hospital system’s Chair of Governing Board, remaining in that role until his passing in June 2023.
Levy’s lifetime commitment to supporting children inspired his family to establish the John G. Levy Endowment at the Children’s Foundation in support of Child Life Services at Children’s Hospital. Ensuring children felt comfortable and supported throughout their stay was a top priority for John throughout his tenure.
John Levy’s wife Nancy Levy reflects on John’s commitment, “John knew the value of Children’s Child Life Services. That’s why my daughters, Jody and Melissa, and my son-in-law Ryan, and I established this endowment – to make sure kids today, and far into the future, will have the support they need during challenging times.”
Over 150 donors have come together to generously support the John G. Levy Endowment including many notable Detroit city leaders, John’s family, friends, and professional associates from around the world. This outpouring of support reflects the profound impact John Levy had on countless individuals and institutions in the Metro-Detroit area and beyond.
“Kids rely on Child Life Services for hope and healing, and Child Life Services rely on philanthropy to exist” said Andrew Stein, President & CEO at the Children’s Foundation. “The Children’s Foundation’s mission is to improve the physical and mental health of kids in our community, and we are proud to work with the Levy family to honor John’s memory in this space and provide necessary support to kids who need it most.”
In addition to the endowment, John’s legacy will be honored by naming the main lobby at Children’s Hospital of Michigan as the John G. Levy Lobby. An interactive donor wall designed and donated by Echo Charlie will be installed in the main lobby, creating a space of joy and engagement for young patients and their families.
“The support of Child Life Services and people like John Levy are an important complement to the highly specialized medical care taking place at the hospital, and we are grateful,” said Children’s Hospital of Michigan CEO Archie Drake. “We are proud to share this daily reminder in our lobby of John’s long-time service to both children and adults of Metro Detroit.”
John’s memory will continue to inspire generosity, compassion, and hope, and the endowment will ensure that his dedication to supporting children’s well-being lives on for generations to come.
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About the Children’s Foundation
The Children’s Foundation is a catalyst for change, partnering with the community to advance solutions and discoveries that improve the physical and mental health of children in Michigan. As stewards of philanthropic legacy from Children’s Hospital of Michigan dating back more than 130 years, the Foundation has a history of supporting programs and projects that create more equitable opportunities for kids. At the heart of the Foundation’s mission lies innovation and collaboration. Through advocacy, fundraising, and strategic grantmaking, the Children’s Foundation seeks to build sustainable solutions and sources of capital that address the needs of children now and into the future. Learn more at YourChildrensFoundation.org.
About Children’s Hospital of Michigan
For over 130 years, the Children’s Hospital of Michigan has been dedicated to providing high-quality care to children and adolescents in a caring, efficient and family-centered environment. With more than 40 pediatric medical and surgical specialty services, the hospital draws patients from nearly every Michigan county, dozens of additional states and multiple countries annually and provides the highest level of pediatric specialty care available for children. It is ranked as one of America’s best hospitals for children and sees more children than any hospital in the state. For more information, visit www.childrensdmc.org.
