By: Elowen Gray
For most physicians, the impact they have occurs within a clinic or hospital. Their work is measured in diagnoses, procedures, and patient recoveries. Dr. Eyal Levit certainly fits that description in many ways. As a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs and cosmetic surgeon, he has spent years helping patients treat serious skin conditions and improve their confidence. Yet recently, his influence has expanded beyond the exam room in an unexpected direction into the world of children’s storytelling.
While medicine remains the center of his professional life, Dr. Levit has taken on a new role as an author, using storytelling to encourage young people to think about resilience, integrity, and personal character. His book, The King’s Race, has attracted attention from parents, educators, and readers seeking meaningful ways to talk with children about the challenges they will inevitably face as they grow.
Dr. Levit’s interest in these themes is closely tied to his own life story. Born in Ukraine, he spent his early years moving across different countries and cultures. His family later lived in Israel and Nigeria before eventually settling in the United States. Experiencing life in multiple places meant constantly adapting to new environments, languages, and social dynamics. Those early transitions were not always easy, but they offered valuable lessons about perseverance and understanding others.
Living in different cultures also gave him a broader perspective on how people view success, failure, and opportunity. Regardless of where he lived, certain values seemed to remain constant: determination, honesty, and the willingness to keep moving forward when things became difficult. These ideas stayed with him long after he chose a career in medicine.
Dr. Levit pursued dermatology because it allowed him to combine science with hands-on surgical skill. After completing his dermatology residency at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, he went on to receive specialized surgical training at the University of Pennsylvania. Over the years, he built a reputation for excellence in both dermatologic surgery and cosmetic procedures, while also dedicating time to teaching and mentoring younger physicians.
For patients, dermatology often involves more than treating a medical condition. Skin issues can affect how people see themselves and how they interact with the world. Dr. Levit has witnessed firsthand how restoring a patient’s health or appearance can also restore confidence. Those experiences reinforced his belief that physical healing and emotional well-being are closely connected.
At the same time, he began thinking about the pressures many young people face long before adulthood. In schools and social settings, success is often measured through grades, competition, and external achievements. While those markers can be important, they sometimes leave little room for conversations about character, perseverance, and ethical choices.
That realization became the starting point for The King’s Race.
The story centers on a young animal who enters a race organized by a king. On the surface, the race appears to be a straightforward competition. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the challenge is about far more than speed or winning. The race represents the journey people take through life, filled with obstacles, distractions, and decisions that test personal values.
Instead of portraying success as simply finishing first, the story highlights the importance of determination, honesty, and staying true to oneself. The message is subtle but clear: real success is measured by how a person runs the race, not just where they finish.
Dr. Levit intentionally chose animals as the characters. By avoiding specific human identities or cultural labels, the story becomes easier for children to relate to, regardless of their background. Young readers can place themselves in the characters’ shoes and imagine how they might respond to similar challenges.
Since its release, The King’s Race has gained strong support from families and educators. Many parents have said the book helps open conversations with their children about topics that can otherwise be difficult to discuss. Teachers have also found it useful in classroom settings where discussions about character and leadership are part of the curriculum.
For Dr. Levit, writing the book was never about stepping away from medicine. Instead, it was about expanding the ways he could contribute to people’s lives. Just as physicians aim to improve a patient’s well-being, stories can encourage readers to think about their choices, their values, and the kind of person they want to become.
Even with the success of his book, Dr. Levit continues to focus on his dermatology practice. At his practice in New York, he treats patients dealing with everything from skin cancer to advanced cosmetic concerns. His daily work still revolves around patient care, research, and education.
What has changed is the audience he now reaches. Through his writing and public conversations, he connects with families, teachers, and young readers who may never step into his medical office but can still benefit from the ideas he shares.
Looking ahead, Dr. Levit hopes The King’s Race will continue reaching new readers, possibly through translations and educational partnerships. His long-term goal is simple: help children understand that character, perseverance, and kindness matter just as much as talent or achievement.
