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Get to Know Me

Dr. Carly Levy is a pediatric palliative care physician and educator dedicated to improving the lives of children with serious and chronic illnesses. She serves as the program director of the pediatric Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËÍø Children’s Hospital, Delaware and is an associate professor of Pediatrics through Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University.

In addition to her clinical and teaching roles, Dr. Levy is actively involved in national advocacy and educational efforts.  She frequently lectures on pediatric palliative care topics and contributes to academic literature as an author of peer-reviewed journal articles.

Whether Dr. Levy is supporting patients and families, mentoring the next generation of palliative care clinicians, or helping shape national educational initiatives, she remains committed to ensuring honest and compassionate care that respects the needs, values, and voices of every child and family.

Why I Treat Children

Before I ever considered becoming a physician, I was drawn to work that centered on community. I started my career in social services and spent a transformative year working with children living with disabilities. It was there, in the daily interactions with those children and their families, that I first discovered how much I loved working with kids. After this experience, I realized I wanted to be equipped to care for the whole child, which eventually led me to pursue a career in pediatrics.

As a palliative care pediatrician, I am especially passionate about caring for seriously and chronically ill children. These patients often endure burdensome treatments, complex medical complications, and persistent symptoms that can affect every part of their lives. I care deeply about helping them and their families navigate these challenges in ways that preserve dignity, minimize suffering, and honor what matters most to them. My goal is to ensure they feel supported, heard, and cared for — not just as patients, but as people. Being present with families during these vulnerable moments and building trust in the face of uncertainty is one of the greatest privileges of my work. 

What I'm Passionate About

I care deeply about helping children with serious or chronic illnesses live as well as possible, even in the midst of uncertainty. Serious illness can create chaos and distress — not just for patients, but for their families and the clinicians who care for them. While we may not always have control over the outcome of a disease, how we care matters just as much as what we treat.

I’m passionate about the field of pediatric palliative care not only because it’s a meaningful and evolving area of medicine, but because it offers a tangible way to relieve suffering and improve lives. Part of my role is helping families understand what palliative care is — disarming misconceptions, answering difficult questions, and showing them that our involvement doesn’t mean giving up, but rather gaining support.

I’m equally passionate about education. There are not enough pediatric palliative care trained providers to meet the growing need. By teaching healthcare professionals core pediatric palliative care skills, like pain and symptom management as well as how to communicate with honesty and empathy, I hope to expand access to high-quality, compassionate care across healthcare systems.

How I Try to Make A Difference

I try to make a difference by showing up with curiosity and humility — by getting to know each child and family as individuals, not just as a diagnosis or a case. I want to ensure that their voices are heard and valued in the medical decision-making process. My role as a palliative care physician is to help create space for those conversations, and to make sure families feel supported, understood, and not alone.

I also believe that excellent care is never delivered in isolation. I partner closely with nurses, social workers, psychologists, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals to care for the whole patient and family system — addressing not just physical symptoms, but emotional, spiritual, and practical needs as well.

Fellowship

• Hospice and Palliative Care - ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËÍø Childrens Hospital, Delaware, 2015

Residency

• Pediatrics - Jefferson Medical College/Alfred I. duPont Hosp., 2010

Medical/Dental School

• M.D. - Brown University, 2007
• Bryn Mawr College, 2003

Board Certifications

• American Board of Pediatrics/Pediatrics - General
• American Board of Pediatrics/Hospice & Palliative Medicine