A Collaborative Approach to Leadership: Todd Levine, MD

“Effective leadership means finding ways to accomplish goals. I find that the best path is

by collaborating with others who share your vision. Leadership is a team sport.”

—Todd Levine

AN INBRED CURIOSITY and compassionate approach to patient care has served Todd Levine, MD well throughout his illustrious career. A thought leader when it comes to innovating best practices for patients suffering from neurological disorders, Dr. Levine is a driving force behind the unique practice capabilities of Phoenix Neurological Associates, located in Phoenix, Ariz.

A Passion for Patients and Problem-Solving

Dr. Levine has long been comfortable wearing numerous hats: He is the founder and director of the Samaritan ALS clinic; co-director of the neurophysiology department at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center; and a clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona in neurology. He also conducts extensive research in diseases of the nerve and muscle, he continues to publish his findings in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and he is on the advisory board of IG Living magazine. But, he says, he is most proud of his ability to balance the rigorous research demands of an academic career with the accessibility and relaxed bedside manner required of a private-practice physician.

“When I finished my fellowship training, I wanted to focus on neuromuscular diseases while continuing to practice with an academic emphasis,” he explains. “The city of Phoenix offered a good environment for that vision because there was no medical school here, and it allowed us to build a presence that really combines the best of both worlds.”

Phoenix Neurological Associates employs six board-certified neurologists with a combined experience of more than 90 years in treating all types of neurological problems. Dr. Levine notes that the center also boasts full academic/research capabilities, with a CLIA-certified pathology lab and an infusion center, making it one of the most unique private practice settings in the country.

A father of three, Dr. Levine carefully balances family time with a dedication for getting to know his patients — a commitment that is demonstrated by his involvement in various fundraisers and awareness walks, or simply taking the time during an ALS clinic to share a joke with his patients. For Dr. Levine, a passion for relationship building is countered only by his enthusiasm for problem-solving.

“I think what is exciting for me is discovering new ideas and developing them — my personal bias is that one reason academics tend to be leaders is that they always ask questions and are looking at patients to see what can be learned from them,” he says. “Whether you see a Lou Gehrig’s patient and discover what it is that makes their case unique, or you’re looking at why some patients respond to IVIG and others to prednisone, it’s fascinating to look at the puzzle pieces and figure out the best way to put them all together.”

Groundbreaking Work with IVIG

The benefits of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) for patients with neurological and autoimmune diseases are often described as “miraculous.” Dr. Levine’s work with IVIG has been groundbreaking to say the least. In a recent presentation, Dr. Levine outlines how a high number of patients with small fiber neuropathies have immune disorders. Previously felt to be untreatable, the patient series examined how treating these patients with IVIG dramatically reduced pain and actually helped nerves begin a regrowth process, potentially offering a whole new treatment option for patients with small fiber neuropathy.

“Up until a few years ago, our typical series of tests for neuropathy did not include a specific objective test for small nerve fibers,” he says. “About a decade ago, we found out we could do a skin biopsy and look at small nerves to determine if they were sick or healthy. Unfortunately, most doctors do not think to request the biopsy, which is a shame because patients with this disorder who are treated with IVIG see a dramatic improvement within three to six months, and the positive impact on quality of life is profound.”

Planning for the Future of Treating Neurological Disorders

As he looks to the future, Dr. Levine is excited about one of his newest projects: the formation of a network of physicians involved in the treatment of immune-mediated neurological disorders. “The Knowledge Infusion Network, or KIN as we’re referring to it, will provide a collaborative platform for the experts in our field, allowing us to take advantage of our combined practice experience and knowledge to create standards and protocols around the use of IVIG for a range of disorders,” Levine states. “We anticipate KIN becoming an influential clinician-led network that will drive the way patient care is directed and facilitated, specifically in the area of specialty immunemediated neurological diseases.”

With an emphasis on education and collaboration, KIN will help to put physicians back into the center of the decision-making process when it comes to treatment protocols and recommendations. The network will include clinicians from the country’s top academic institutions, many of whom are working on groundbreaking studies, as well as those in private practice. What this means for patients and the industry as a whole is that when the network suggests new treatment methods, the recommendations will carry more credence, especially with the insurance companies.

“Leadership is about accomplishing goals, and often the best way to do that is by collaborating with others who share your vision,” says Dr. Levine. “When we come together with a common goal, there is an exponential increase in terms of what can be achieved.”