Background
Levin was born in Suwałki, Poland (née Levitansky).
Levin was born in Suwałki, Poland (née Levitansky).
He graduated from Blinn Memorial College in 1903 and subsequently earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1907. Levin completed post-graduate training in internal medicine and gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins University.
This procedure is known as nasogastric intubation. He emigrated with his family to New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1902. He spent most of his career as a practicing physician at Touro Infirmary of New Orleans.
In addition to his private practice of medicine, Levin served in the United States Army Medical Corps in World War I at Camp Beauregard in Louisiana.
Levin treated large numbers of trauma patients with gastrointestinal involvement during his military duty. This was a period of extensive investigation into the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in the medical community.
Levin first published on his invention in 1921. Initially, Levin envisioned diagnostic uses of his nasogastric drainage device, such as for gallbladder disease.
His 1927 publication anticipated the modern use of the invention for gastric decompression resulting from abdominal distention.
Levin died on September 15, 1940. An annual Levin Memorial Address was established at Louisiana State University School of Medicine, and a Levin Memorial Award for the outstanding medical intern was established at Touro Infirmary.