Guide to the Macy Levine Papers, 1915-2001

Arrangement

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Macy Levine Papers,
Creator
Levine, Macy, M.D., 1920-
Collection Number
MSS 547
Extent
0.5 linear feet (1 box)
Date
1915-2001
Abstract
Dr. Macy Levine worked as a medical officer while in the US Army during and after World War II before returning to Pittsburgh to begin his civilian career as a physician. Dr. Levine contributed to the Allegheny County Medical Society Bulletin and was on the board for the Podolier Society of Pittsburgh with his wife Evelyn. This collection consists of army and family correspondence, photocopied medical editorials, Dr. Levine's collected writings on Dr. Leo Criep, and papers related to the function of the Podolier Society.
Language
The material in this collection is in English, Russian, and Yiddish.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Melanie Root.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

Dr. Macy Levine was born in May of 1920 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to Ida and Elliot B. Levine. His father had emigrated from Russia in 1905. Dr. Levine's mother was born in New York to Russian immigrant parents. He attended the University of Pittsburgh where he earned his medical degree. In 1945, Dr. Levine joined the United States Army as a medical officer. He was stationed in Texas, California, and Hawaii until the war ended and then became part of the occupying force, working in hospitals in Japan.

After he was discharged, Dr. Levine returned to Pittsburgh and began a long career in medicine as an allergist. Later, he married Evelyn Finesman whose father, Charles Finesman, had emigrated from Podolier, Russia, in 1909. Charles Finesman married Evelyn's mother, Ethel Shussett, in 1915 and became a founding member of the Podolier Society, a beneficial organization that maintained a small cemetery for immigrants and their decedents from the area of Podolier, Russia. After the death of her parents, the Levines assumed responsibility for the Podolier Society.

Dr. Levine became editor of the Allegheny County Medical Society Bulletin and was instrumental in developing the Dr. Leo Criep Lecture Series. Dr. Criep (1896-1992) was one of the founders of the field of clinical immunology, which includes allergies and asthmatic conditions. On retiring after 60 years with the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Criep became Professor Emeritus. He had worked closely with Dr. Levine for many years and contributed to planning for the lecture series before his death in 1992. Dr. Levine memorialized his fellow physician by continuing his involvement in the lecture series as well as by writing articles and obituaries about Dr. Criep.

Along with his professional contributions to the Pittsburgh region, Dr. Levine has contributed his time and support to many activities in the Pittsburgh Jewish community, including his involvement in the B'nai B'rith Golden Triangle Lodge adult education program and the College of Jewish Studies adult education lecture series.

Scope and Content Notes

The Macy Levine Papers are housed in one archival box. The folders are arranged alphabetically by series. The three series of the collection are designated as Family, Medical, and Podolier Society.

Arrangement

The Macy Levine Papers are divided into three series grouped by subject. Additional scope and content notes are provided at the following series levels:

  1. Series I. Family
  2. Series II. Medical
  3. Series III. Podolier Society

Conditions Governing Access

No Restrictions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Macy Levine, M.D. on July 18, 2001, and March 29, 2006.

Preferred Citation

Macy Levine Papers, 1915-2001, MSS 547, Rauh Jewish Archives, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Melanie Root in February 2010.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Podolier Society
    • Allegheny County Medical Society
    • University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

    Personal Names

    • Levine, Macy, M.D., 1920-
    • Criep, Leo, M.D., 1896-1992

    Geographic Names

    • Pittsburgh (Pa.)
    • Podolier (Ukraine)

    Other Subjects

    • Jews--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
    • World War II--Personal narratives--Medical
    • World War II --Personal narratives--Texas
    • World War II--Personal narratives--California
    • World War II--Personal narratives--Hawaii
    • World War II--Personal narratives--Japan
    • Jewish cemeteries--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh

Container List