Joseph Levy Named 2026 Valedictorian of Touro’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences

Working as an EMT while pursuing his studies helped solidify his commitment to medicine and gave him first-hand experience caring for patients during vulnerable moments.

“I chose to pursue medicine because it felt like the clearest way to bring together the parts of myself that mattered most; scientific curiosity, service, and the desire to be present for people in moments of uncertainty,” he said. “Experiences my family had with healthcare made that path more personal, and working as an EMT gave me the opportunity to offer others some of the same steadiness and reassurance that once meant so much to my own family.”

Joseph also immersed himself in research and scientific writing during his years at LAS. Under faculty guidance, in particular Dr. Eli Ron, interim chair of the chemistry and physics department, he conducted research focused on modifying amino acid-based compounds to create new molecules for testing potential therapeutic benefits.

“Research taught me patience, discipline, and how to approach problems from different angles when the path forward was not immediately clear,” he said.

Mentorship and opportunity

Born and raised in Brooklyn, a place whose character and diversity have shaped him in lasting ways, Joseph attended Yeshiva University High School for Boys and then learned at Yeshiva Lev Aharon in Jerusalem before enrolling at LAS. He first learned about Touro through family members and was drawn to its strong academics, supportive environment, and the opportunities it offered for mentorship and growth.

He credits several faculty mentors with helping shape his growth by encouraging him to pursue research, tutoring, and additional clinical experiences outside the classroom.

With their guidance, Joseph participated in Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Clinical Oncology Open Learning program, where he observed oncologists across specialties and gained deeper exposure to patient care, physician-patient communication, and clinical decision-making.

Over the course of his studies, he rose from associate editor to executive editor of the Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences, an experience that sharpened his scientific rigor, strengthened his leadership abilities, and deepened his passion for writing and research.

Combining science and service

Alongside his academic work, he continued building hands-on clinical experience through his work as an EMT and his volunteer work in a hospital setting, and service at large-scale medical events such as the NYC marathon. He also remained committed to community service through work at a local food pantry, and served as a tutor in organic chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, and general biology, an experience that allowed him not only to deepen his own understanding, but also to help other students grow in confidence and succeed.

Those experiences reinforced his belief that good patient care requires not only technical skill, but also empathy, communication, and personal connection.

“My ultimate goal,” he said, “is to become a physician who combines strong clinical knowledge with humility, compassion, and a commitment to lifelong learning.”

Beyond academics and clinical work, Joseph enjoys hiking, writing, culinary arts, and spending time with his extended family.