Leading Something That’s Never Been Done Before
Dr. Ben Levy is a physician, musician, and public health advocate who grew up at times feeling like an outsider. He has since used his skills and love of music to create an innovative way of organizing concerts to raise awareness for critical health issues.
First, I’ve known Ben for 40 years. So in this episode, you hear us reminiscing and chuckling and reframing our history together and shared memories. Definitely a more laid-back interview – in fact I think I counted 14 times during this show that I fully interrupted Ben because I was so excited to be combing through our past together.
Second, Ben’s experience cannot be summarized in 30 minutes. His stories, his networks, his career trajectory, and the way he blends his interests together have allowed him to launch innovative, never-seen-before, worldwide & virtual music concerts to support illness prevention and public health. It definitely takes a bit more time to unpack the complexity of the actors involved in this journey.
Third, because, why not? If you know Ben or I, you might be more inclined to listen to us geek out on all the things related to our K-12 education, college, graduate study, and post-graduate life. If you don’t know us, you may be fascinated to just listen to the people Ben has worked with to produce these musical events that have experienced so much success. Either way – I hope you enjoy the conversation.
Fourth – because I want to underscore the opportunity that the public has to attend a virtual concert 8 pm on Thursday March 30th designed to raise awareness of colorectal cancer and to encourage early screenings.
Summary of hilarious moments in this show:
My inability to say “gastroenterology”
Ben thinking he was an “accidental” musicology major
The degree to which my ADD acts us and I interrupt constantly
Ben pointing out that – ahem – yes – I actually did listen to a lot of classical music growing up – duh, Natasha
Learn more about Ben Levy and the Free “Tune It Up” Concert to Raise Awareness of Colorectal Cancer
Benjamin Levy, M.D. is a board-certified Gastroenterologist at the University of Chicago. His clinical projects focus on the development of Colorectal Cancer screening campaigns.
Dr. Levy organizes Tune It Up: A Concert to Raise Colorectal Cancer Awareness with the American College of Gastroenterology which has featured music performances by Ben Folds, Rufus Wainwright, Lisa Loeb, Tim Reynolds, violinist Hilary Hahn, and the Chicago Symphony, among many others.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Levy started a virtual concert series “Concerts & Cocktails” that teamed up musicians with physicians and nurses on the front lines. Dr. Levy was subsequently selected to be a TEDx speaker @TEDxWrigleyville “Humanity: An Inside View of the Pandemic.” Dr. Levy is the Music Director for TEDxWrigleyville, recently organizing performances featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma and baritone Will Liverman.
Dr. Levy was a music major at the University of Virginia and graduated from Emory University School of Medicine. In 2017, Dr. Levy organized a Gastroenterology clinic for refugees resettling in Chicago. He completed a Fulbright Fellowship of music in Paris and recently served as co-Chair of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Soundpost Series. Dr. Levy is a member of American College of Gastroenterology’s Public Relations Committee and FDA-Related Matters Committee.
Free Virtual Concert
The College is deeply grateful to all the artists who contributed performances to “Tune It Up” for their support of Colorectal Cancer Awareness!
Artists Hilary Hahn, Rufus Wainwright, Tim Reynolds, and Ben Folds headlined a musical program that included rock singer/songwriter Ben Kweller and operatic baritone Will Liverman along with a performance by The Knights with violinist Gil Shaham in a special program!
So many artists from an incredible array of musical genres donated their time and performances to support colorectal cancer awareness including the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. See a list of all the featured performers below.
For the second year, Dr. Benjamin Levy of the ACG Public Relations Committee invited musical guests for this virtual event that brought together the ACG community to focus attention on colorectal cancer screening. ACG’s goal was to tap the connection and energy that music creates to shine a light on the importance of colorectal cancer prevention!
Follow Ben Levy
Author Information
Natasha Ganem, PhD, serves as principal consultant and organizational psychologist at Lion Leadership, an executive education firm dedicated to helping company owners design world-class leadership teams. To learn more about Lion Leadership coaching services, management training, and off-site retreat facilitation, contact us at info@lionleadership.com.
Lion Leadership – an executive education company.
We coach and train leadership teams and mid-level managers so that people don’t quit because of bad bosses. Whether you need 1-on-1 coaching for yourself, a custom leadership academy for your company, off-site retreats for your teams, or just a few hours of morale building, we are here to get your organization ready for what’s next. Natasha Ganem, Ph.D., is the founder and principal consultant.
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