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Trevor: What first sparked your interest in medicine, and what led you to pediatrics specifically? Rachel: I always saw myself becoming a doctor, even from a young age. I was lucky to have a pediatrician I loved and admired, and I started shadowing her at West Side Pediatrics in middle school. I saw how much purpose and joy could coexist in that work—especially when caring for children. That sense of playfulness and connection really resonated with me. I also became passionate about community issues and education reform, which translated into a desire to work at the intersection of health and equity. Trevor had a big influence on that choice. I received an exceptional education and wanted to contribute to the same city that shaped me. That experience ultimately led me to pediatrics—I knew I wanted to continue working with children. Trevor: You were a science teacher before entering medicine. How did that shape your career path? Rachel: My five years working for the New York City Department of Education as a public middle school teacher was formative and helped reinforce how much I love working with kids—and how important access and equity are in both education and healthcare. Trevor: What does your current work look like day-to-day? Rachel: I'm a pediatric emergency medicine physician at The Mount Sinai Hospital. I usually work three eight-hour shifts per week, which can be at any hour, day, or holiday; the rest of the time I'm teaching or running educational programming for medical trainees. I also serve as Associate Program Director for our pediatric emergency medicine fellowship program, helping to guide physicians who are pursuing this specialty. Trevor: What might surprise people about emergency medicine? Rachel: Emergency medicine is often portrayed as fast- paced and dramatic—and while that's true in some ways, what's often overlooked is how much it reflects the community you serve. It's a safety net, and you learn so much about the broader societal and economic factors affecting your patients. Trevor: Theater played a big role in your life growing up. How does it show up in your work today? Rachel: Theater is still a big part of who I am. I was in every production at Trevor and minored in theater in college. Even now, I'm constantly singing in the ER with my colleagues— sometimes "Twinkle Twinkle," sometimes "Seasons of Love" from Rent. Surprisingly, many people in pediatric emergency medicine are into musical theater. It's a creative, high-energy field, and the ability to connect with patients—especially kids—often involves empathy and a degree of performance. Trevor: How has your connection to Trevor continued since graduation? Rachel: Some of my closest friends are people I met at Trevor, and my husband, Gregory Kubie '02, is also an alum. I was actually on a shift recently with Alexander Roche '12—another Alumni Profile Dr. Rachel Levene '02 Bowdoin College–BA I The City College of New York–MEd I St. George's University–MD Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician Pediatric emergency medicine physician, educator, and lifelong performer, Dr. Rachel Levene '02 has built a career that bridges science and humanity. Whether she's leading a training conference, comforting a child in the ER, or catching a Broadway show with her family, she brings the same passion, compassion, and creativity she first explored at Trevor. In this conversation, Dr. Levene reflects on her path to medicine, the power of the arts, and how Trevor continues to shape her life and work. Rachel Levene & Jeff Adler from Trevor Yearbook. TREVOR DAY SCHOOL / 45 INSIDE TREVOR TREVOR TRANSLATES FEATURE AR TICLES ALUMNI

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