Meet Alan Levine, MD, 2026 Distinguished Physician of the Year

The Distinguished Physician Award recognizes a physician who provides extraordinary care for patients and demonstrates outstanding leadership, collegiality, kindness, and care for their colleagues.

Watch this video see Dr. Levine’s positive impact

Adventist Health Sonora is blessed to have physicians like Alan Levine, MD, who not only provide exceptional care for their patients but also give their time and expertise to fill leadership roles critical to a thriving hospital and medical staff.

Impressive tenure

Dr. Levine has served our community as a board-certified anesthesiologist since 1997, while also serving his colleagues as a valued adviser, leader, and friend.

“It has been a great privilege and honor to serve with Alan all these years,” says Todd Christensen, MD, an anesthesiologist who has worked with Dr. Levine for over three decades. “He is an exceptional physician and is truly a great asset to the organization.”

Extensive responsibilities

Dr. Levine is the Medical Director for Sonora Anesthesia Medical Group, leading the physicians and nurse anesthetists who care for patients at Adventist Health Sonora. His broad scope of leadership roles also includes serving as Chair or Vice-Chair of the Bioethics Committee, Credentials Committee, Critical Care Committee, Department of Surgery, Interdisciplinary Committee, Medical Executive Committee, and Well-Being Committee.

Dependable mentor

In his role with the Well-Being Committee, Dr. Levine provides confidential, one-on-one guidance for physicians. “He’s been very supportive of my career,” says Orthopedic Surgeon Thomas McDonald, MD. “He’s helped me find my way, highlighted my strengths, and his presence and friendship are hugely important to me.”

Other physicians and clinical staff at Adventist Health Sonora describe Dr. Levine as a steady role model and someone who is always ready to jump in and help. “He’s very aware of what people need,” says OB/GYN Alexa Calfee, MD. “He is someone who everyone feels comfortable reaching out to.”

Quick-thinking problem solver

Jenn Carrillo, RN, Director of Perioperative Services, describes Dr. Levine as their go-to person and recalls the care Dr. Levine provided for a recent patient. Due to a prior spine surgery, the patient could not receive a spinal block during knee replacement surgery. Their pain was extreme following the procedure, and Dr. Levine worked quickly, thinking outside the box to administer another type of pain block to bring the patient some relief. "It was amazing to see the care provided to this patient and how they were treated like family. I feel privileged to work alongside providers like Dr. Levine," Jenn says.

Approaching life with gratitude

It is clear that Dr. Levine approaches his work with confidence, optimism, and gratitude. He remembers seeing his father, also a physician, called to the hospital in the middle of the night, cheerful and unbothered. Dr. Levine understands this positive outlook and explains, “The work isn’t something I have to do. It’s something I get to do.”

Greg McCulloch, President of Adventist Health Sonora, appreciates the example Dr. Levine is setting for the next generation of doctors. “It is important that we continue to have physicians stepping into leadership roles to guide our hospital and medical staff,” Greg explains. “Alan serves as a dedicated mentor, encouraging and guiding the development of our physician leaders.”

“He has so much experience,” says Dr. McDonald, who now serves as Chair of the Department of Surgery. “He does so much more than anesthesia. No one deserves this award more than Alan.”