Wake Forest School of Medicine

Dec. 14. The Howard R. Levine Foundation will donate $25 million to the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Midtown Charlotte, Atrium Health announced this afternoon. The Howard R. Levine Center for Education will house the school of medicine as well as Wake Forest University School of Business, Wake Forest School for Professional Studies and Carolinas College of Health Sciences, which have also announced plans to locate there.

Background

Levine, a business leader and philanthropist who previously served as chairman and chief executive officer of Matthews-based Family Dollar, said giving back has always been a natural for him.

Howard Levine

Quotable

“I consider it a privilege to be a part of bringing Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Charlotte to our city and helping to advance higher education opportunities and world-class medical research,” he said. “It allows our family and its foundation to have a positive impact that will shape the future of the city, and the health of its residents, for generations to come.”

The national retailer was founded by his father, Leon Levine.

First major gift

The donation from the Howard R. Levine Foundation is the first major gift announced tied to the new school of medicine and its campus since Atrium Health Foundation launched its largest-ever philanthropic campaign in May. The Giving Hope Campaign is seeking at least $500 million in donations towards support of the school of medicine and other key Atrium Health programs and initiatives.

The gift towards the medical school continues a legacy of support from the Levine family. Howard Levine and his family have been significant benefactors of Atrium Health Levine Children’s and Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, among other impactful projects within the health system and throughout the Carolinas.