New Jersey Physician Receives National Honor for Teaching Excellence from from the American Academy of Family Physicians

CHICAGO – Richard Levandowski, M.D., a family and sports medicine physician in Lawrenceville, N.J., received the Exemplary Teaching Award from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) at its annual meeting this week in Chicago. The AAFP’s Scientific Assembly was held Oct. 3-6.

Levandowski was one of two family physicians who received Exemplary Teaching Awards, which recognize AAFP members who have excellent teaching skills and who have implemented outstanding programs or developed innovative teaching models. The awards were given in two categories: full-time and volunteer. Levandowski received the Exemplary Teaching Award in the category of volunteer faculty member.

Currently associate clinical professor at both the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey’s medical schools, the Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Medical School and the New Jersey Medical School, Levandowski has been actively involved in medical education as a volunteer faculty member since he completed his family medicine residency in 1977. His volunteer teaching experience includes lecturing on various aspects of sports medicine and precepting students and residents in his private practice in Lawrenceville, where he has seen patients since 1989.

Since 1979, Levandowski has been involved in a number of family medicine residency programs throughout New Jersey, including programs at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)-RWJ, Capital Health System-RWJ, Somerset Medical Center, Hunterdon Medical Center, JFK Medical Center and Overlook Hospital. He also teaches for internal medicine residencies at UMDNJ and the Helene Fuld Medical Center. In 2000, Levandowski was named Most Outstanding Clinical Instructor by the graduating class of family medicine residents at Capital Health System-RWJ Medical School. He was the founding director of the sports medicine fellowship at the RWJ Department of Family Medicine.

Levandowski actively contributes to sports medicine literature, authoring numerous articles and book chapters, and has presented more than 400 lectures and workshops throughout his 34-year medical career.

Levandowski’s commitment to community service extends beyond his medical education teaching. He provides community education for the University Medical Center at Princeton, and he serves on several local boards that support services to persons with disabilities, including the Special Olympics New Jersey. He also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association and volunteers with the Stonybrook-Millstone Watershed Association to further environmental education and activism.

Levandowski has been an active leader in professional organizations on the local, state and national levels. Nationally, he is an active member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the American College of Sports Medicine, American Running & Fitness Association, Association of Professional Team Physicians, U.S. Olympics Sports Medicine Society, and USA Track & Field. On the state level, he is involved in the Medical Society of New Jersey, Athletic Trainers Society of New Jersey, New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians, New Jersey Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and Special Olympics New Jersey. He is a past president of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Alumni Association. Locally, he is an active member of the Mercer County Medical Society.

Since completing his residency, Levandowski has served as the team physician for seven different schools. He is the former director of athletic medicine for Princeton University and is currently the team physician for Mercer County Community College, The College of New Jersey, The Hun School of Princeton and The Pennington School.

Levandowski has brought his sports medicine expertise to national and international athletic organizations, including the United States Olympic Committee, USA Track & Field, United States Intercollegiate Tennis Association, National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Junior College Athletic Association and Special Olympics New Jersey.

Peers and students alike note Levandowski’s enthusiasm and commitment.

“Dr. Levandowski is one of the rare doctors that we have always wanted to become – a great clinician, a great teacher and a great person,” wrote David Van Why and Carolyn Feuerstein, both students at the New Jersey Medical School.

Levandowski earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree from Rutgers University. He received his medical degree from UMDNJ-RWJ (formerly Rutgers Medical School) and completed his residency at Lancaster General Hospital in Pennsylvania. He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and has a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine.