Dr. Joel Levine, 73, passed on October 2, 2020. Joel was born to Mike and Sophie Levine on February 22, 1947 in Key West, Florida. Joel had one sister, Susan Krauthammer.  He was beloved and respected by his family, friends, and colleagues for a life defined by deep intelligence, compassion, and integrity. 

He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New Yok, NY, and earned his medical degree from State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine. Joel completed his internship at Tufts New England Medical Center, his internal medicine residency at the New England Medical Center and his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  Joel also served in the Navy.

Joel was Chair Emeritus of the Board of Regents of the American College of Physicians (ACP), and played a central role in the authorization of colorectal cancer screening as a Medicare benefit. He previously served as Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where he was Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs for 19 years and was the head of the Division of Digestive and Liver Health at Denver Health, Colorado’s primary safety-net system, for 10 years. 

He married Frieda Levine on August 1, 1970. They celebrated 50 years of marriage just prior to his passing. He was a loving, devoted husband and father. Joel is survived by his wife, Frieda Levine, son, Daniel Levine (spouse, Lauren Levine); son, Steven Levine (spouse, Abby Levine); daughter, Karyn Chotin (spouse, Ross Chotin); and five grandchildren, Oliver Levine (Daniel), Lia Levine (Daniel), Cole Chotin (Karyn), Parker Chotin (Karyn), and Carter Levine (Steven). We will miss his Joelizims, unwavering selflessness, love and kindness.

Memorial contributions may be made to Denver Hospice  https://thedenverhospice.org/; Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) https://www.splcenter.org/; HIAS https://www.hias.org/.