Worker health advocate Dr. Stephen Levin dies at 71
In 1987, Mr. Levin became medical director of the Irving J. Selikoff Occupational and Environmental Medical Center. Working with Dr. Robin Herbert, the Occupational Health and Environmental Medical Center became a nationally recognized center for occupational medicine. Through their efforts, the Clinic became known as a worker/union friendly clinic in which doctors were seen as advocates - working with unions and COSH groups providing scientific and medical support for public policies which protected and advanced workers rights.
After 9/11 Mr. Levin mobilized the Clinic to address the needs of emergency responders and clean-up workers whose health was adversely affected by the contaminants which blanketed lower Manhattan. Through the work of the Clinic, under the direction of Steve and Robin, the problems workers faced as a result of exposure were documented and their work provided the scientific and medical justification for the passage of the Zadroga Act, which established a compensation fund for World Trade rescue, recovery and clean up workers, volunteers and area residents.