Montefiore Nyack Hospital staff, members of the board, family and friends gathered recently to pay tribute to Levi Burnett, a beloved chef and colleague who served staff, patients and their families for more than 60 years. He was the hospital’s longest-tenured employee.
In addition to the touching tributes and stories shared throughout the ceremony, the Montefiore Nyack Foundation honored Burnett’s legacy with a plaque dedication in the hospital’s cafeteria.
“You would always find Levi with his chef’s hat on and a smile,” said Mark Geller, M.D., FACR, president and CEO of Montefiore Nyack Hospital, who knew Burnett for 50 years. “He was always ready to serve, always happy to support all of us as family and friends and he did so with grace.”
Burnett began working at Montefiore Nyack Hospital in 1957 as a chef in a 12-by-14-foot kitchen. He became known for his tireless work ethic, his commitment to putting patients and their families first and, of course, his delicious fried chicken.
“We had a patient who was going to pass away and one of her final wishes was to have some fried chicken,” Geller said. “Levi wasn’t at work that day, but when we called him about the request, he not only came in but personally served and sat with the patient to ensure she was comfortable, enjoyed her meal and experienced a peaceful transition.”
Over six decades, he witnessed the hospital grow and expand, yet his dedication to his work and to the community he was so proud to serve never wavered. Adorned with countless pins marking his many years of service, Burnett hung up his chef’s hat for the final time in 2021 upon his retirement. He passed away in 2024.
“He loved this hospital,” said Jackie Burnett, Burnett’s wife. “He would come in the rain, the snow…he always made sure he came to work—no matter what.”
Montefiore Nyack Hospital is a 375-bed community acute care medical and surgical hospital founded in 1895. Its mission is to provide competent, innovative and accessible emergency and acute care services to the residents of Rockland County, New York, and its surrounding areas. It is a member of Montefiore Health System and a partner with Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, providing clinical rotations to medical students.
