Dr. Sara Levin to Receive the Health Justice Award at the 12th Annual East Bay Philanthropy Awards

Dr. Sara Levin — Contra Costa Deputy Public Health Officer

In her role as Contra Costa County’s Deputy Public Health Officer, Dr. Sara Levin provided resources and protection to alleviate the health inequities laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership and decisive action saved lives and will leave a lasting impact for years to come.

Dr. Levin and her strike team reached over 800 congregate living facilities throughout Contra Costa before and after vaccines were available. They put their own safety at risk to protect and champion those most likely to experience death and severe illness. Dr. Levin and her team also put Contra Costa on the national stage for its success with Covid-19 containment and spread prevention.

Now, Dr. Levin continues to do invaluable work as a volunteer. Instead of opting to return to business as usual, Dr. Levin decided to focus her efforts on aiding the Black and African American community. She saw the disproportionate number of Black and African American deaths and cases of Covid infection, coupled with a lack of access to quality and trusted healthcare professionals. Through the vision of Sabrina Saunders of The One Accord Project, Dr. Levin began providing ‘Look Up and Live’ sessions in the African American faith based communities in Richmond. In partnering with Choice in Aging, funding was acquired through Disability Rights California to provide food and a space for congregates to ask Dr. Levin anything they wanted. She educates folks about Covid, in addition to diabetes, cancer, shingles, and other health risks. The ‘Look Up and Live’ sessions are growing, with the most recent session having over 40 people in attendance.

Through these efforts she built trust, vaccine uptake is increasing, and prevention and education are taking hold in our community - all of which will translate into better health and life outcomes. Dr. Levin’s drive to seek change from the lessons of the pandemic continues to grow and take shape for lasting and substantive impact.

We are so excited to honor Dr. Sara Levin with the Health Justice Award at the 2022 Philanthropy Awards on November 17. If you are interested in attending please register here.

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