Say Hello to Avi Levy!

May 1, 2022
Portrait of Leah Sanford in glasses, smiling against a gray background with a purple frame and award badge.

Meet Avi Levy, this month’s ArMA member in the spotlight. Avi is the Vice-Chair of ArMA’s Medical Student Section (MSS) and is pursuing his residency in pediatrics.

His passion for advocacy led him to draft a medical student bill of rights, which was approved by ArMA's Board of Directors in March. When he’s not sitting by the pool or eating his favorite pizza, Avi is coming up with new ways to advocate for students and physicians alike.


Learn more about Avi’s journey with medicine below! 👇

What inspires you?


I feel that many people in medicine have a story that inspired them to pursue a career in medicine. Mine is that when I was in high school my grandmother had a stroke. I watched my grandmother go through various parts of the healthcare system, and in a way that was the spark that got me interested in healthcare. But in reality, my path to pursuing a career in pediatrics is much more complicated than that. My path however started with me choosing to volunteer at a children’s hospital back in high school. As a volunteer, I was able to appreciate the impact I had on the patients I worked with, and that became something I looked for in experiences that I became involved with. This led to my being part of a global health mission in Guatemala, which inspired me to get a Master’s of Public Health, which further inspired me to become involved in organized medicine – which is how I became involved with ArMA. What I love about medicine is how as a physician we are given the privilege to empower our patients with knowledge. When I was applying to residencies, I realized pediatrics is the best choice for me – not only because being able to work with babies and kids is fun – but because that impact is a hundredfold. Being able to empower children with the skills to manage their health while they are young, gives them the tools to manage their health for the rest of their life. What inspires me is the impact that we can make on others. This is something that motivates me as a future physician, but it’s also something not just related to medicine – but in our everyday interactions as well.

If you weren't in training to become a physician, what would you be up to right now?


This is such a difficult question, as my path to me becoming who I am today came because of my involvement in advocacy and policy. When I think about this question, my first thought is that I would be a human rights lawyer. As a human rights lawyer, I would be able to be involved with similar advocacy that I am involved with as a medical student.

What is your favorite meal? Least favorite meal?


My favorite meal is definitely NY-style pizza. My least favorite meal is anything with pineapples in it.

What is the one accomplishment you’re most proud of?


This year, along with my fellow medical students, I created a medical student bill of rights for students in Arizona, which was recently approved by ArMA's Board of Directors. This idea came from a proposed American Medical Association (AMA) resolution, which was written by a medical student in Arizona, and while that resolution did not end up being adopted, I thought why don’t we first work on this idea locally? After months of work, multiple revisions, and the help of my peers and ArMA’s leadership, the bill of rights was approved by ArMA's Board of Directors in March. What inspired me to work so hard on this was realizing the impact this document could have on the next generation of medical students in Arizona. As a guide and list of recommendations as to what rights medical students should be entitled to, it shows that we as a medical association and medical student section care about and acknowledge the rights of medical students. In turn, medical school administrations and student governments can use this guide to inform policies and operations. It was very satisfying to see my hard work pay off before I graduate from medical school.

What do you like best about living in Arizona?


I grew up in New York City. It’s a completely different world. People are always in a rush, there’s no parking anywhere, and it gets pretty cold in the winter. Here in Arizona, it’s pool weather most of the year – and if it’s too cold to swim there’s always a hot tub. Plus, I even sometimes talk to my neighbors. While I’m moving back to the east coast for residency, I really hope to come back as a physician – I really loved my experience here!

What’s your idea of a perfect day?


My perfect day would start with going to the gym, and then brunch with my friends and spending the rest of the day at the pool – or a beach. What I learned as a medical student is how important it is to cherish the free time we have to be able to just relax.

Why is ArMA important to you and your peers?


ArMA represents our profession. It gives us a voice as medical students and physicians and allows us to make an impact on our communities and the patients we serve.

ADHS Issues Standing Orders for Flu, COVID-19 Vaccine Access

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
Statewide orders keep pharmacists and physicians authorized to vaccinate Arizonans amid uncertainty over the next ACIP meeting. Statewide Orders Cover the 2026-27 Flu & COVID Season The Arizona Department of Health Services has issued statewide standing orders supporting access to the 2026-27 influenza and COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Arizonans seeking a flu or COVID-19 vaccine should contact their physician or pharmacy to confirm availability. Why the Orders Were Issued Arizona pharmacists may administer vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for international travel, or vaccines authorized under a prescription, including a physician-issued public health standing order. With the timing of the next ACIP meeting uncertain, ADHS worked with the Arizona Board of Pharmacy to issue statewide standing orders for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which function as a prescription allowing pharmacists and physicians across Arizona to administer them to anyone who wants one. ADHS Medical Advisor Weighs In "Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to protect our communities. The Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines help us limit the spread of disease, reduce pressure on our healthcare system and reduce costs," said Dr. Richard Carmona, ADHS public health medical advisor and the 17th U.S. Surgeon General. "We have issued these standing orders to ensure safe and timely access to the vaccines in alignment with scientific and evidence-based guidance." What Arizonans Should Know The standing orders do not require every pharmacy to offer vaccinations, and they do not guarantee insurance coverage for administration. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan, so Arizonans should check with their insurance provider before scheduling an appointment. 

Arizona Asks Supreme Court to Halt Prison Health Care Takeover

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
State attorneys seek an emergency stay after lower courts reject bids to delay receivership of the prison health care system. State Makes a Last-Ditch Appeal Attorneys for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry asked the U.S. Supreme Court this week to delay a court-ordered receivership of the state's prison health care system. The request comes after both a federal district court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause the takeover. In the recent application, former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, a representative of the department, argued that the state deserves more time to make its case before surrendering control of its operations, including oversight of its employees and health care budget. Roots of the Case The dispute began in 2012 when inmates sued the department, alleging the prison system's inadequate medical, mental health, and dental care amounted to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. The case went through years of litigation and a failed settlement agreement. In 2023, U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver ruled that the health care system was "grossly inadequate." The court ordered the prison healthcare system to comply with more than 150 "quality indicators," but according to court-appointed monitors, the department failed to comply with 131 of the measures. In light of this finding, Silver named Annette Chambers-Smith, former director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, to take over as receiver effective Oct. 19. Arguments on Both Sides Clement argues receivership should be the last resort and that Silver moved to it too quickly. He asserts that the department has made measurable progress, including growing its health care staffing by more than 50%, expanding substance-use treatment access, and adopting a new care model. Corene Kendrick, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union National Prison Project, which represents the roughly 25,000 people incarcerated in Arizona prisons, called the department's request a "Hail Mary" and said Silver had given the department years of opportunities to comply before ordering receivership. What Happens Next The Supreme Court has not yet set a deadline for the plaintiffs to respond to the stay request. Separately, the 9th Circuit is now reviewing the merits of the receivership order itself. The department filed its opening brief on Sept. 15, and the plaintiffs' response is due Oct. 15. Information in this article was sourced from the Arizona Mirror .