Steven Dwoskin has fond memories of his days at Central Beach Elementary School on Miami Beach. He’s still best friends with three of his classmates, with the foursome frequently meeting for lunch to reminisce about growing up in South Beach. A recent reunion included a nostalgic visit to their old elementary school, which rekindled Dwoskin’s memories of their beloved third-grade teacher, Mrs. Joan Getzug (later Mrs. Getz), and the important life lessons she imparted: work hard, be a good person and give back to your community. For Dwoskin, that meant channeling his success into supporting Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
“Mrs. Getzug changed my path in life,” said Dwoskin. “I struggled as a student, especially with reading. I remember she told me not to worry about what you’re not good at; instead, excel at what you are good at.” That was a turning point for Dwoskin. “Her words of encouragement gave me the confidence to overcome obstacles and ultimately achieve success as a businessman,” he said.
Dwoskin’s business acumen was honed at a young age. His entrepreneurial spirit was evident back in elementary school, when he sold snow cones and Kool-Aid on street corners to earn a few cents, mowed lawns to make half a buck and established a newspaper route. Fueled by determination and a strong work ethic, after graduating, Dwoskin went on to build a small generator shop into an automotive parts empire.
The Power of Philanthropy
Besides the importance of hard work, Dwoskin says he has carried another of Mrs. Getzug’s lessons with him throughout life: Success is not measured solely by wealth but by how you use that financial gain to improve your community.
His philanthropic partnership with Sylvester, the region’s only National Cancer Institute–designated cancer center, began more than 20 years ago through an introduction by his good friend, the late Jay Weiss. A prominent philanthropist and Sylvester board member, Weiss left behind an indelible mark on the cancer center.
Dwoskin was impressed by what he saw that he made an initial gift to honor his father and brother, both of whom died of cancer. That was a catalyst to what has become an unwavering commitment to supporting cancer research and exceptional patient care at Sylvester.
“Steven’s vision, generosity and commitment to advancing cancer research and care have been extraordinary,” said Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., director of Sylvester, the Oscar de la Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research and executive dean for research at the Miller School. “He is exceptionally engaged in our mission and deeply invested in the impact of his support. We meet every year to discuss the progress we are making, and Steven wants to understand how his philanthropy is being put to work and the difference it is making for our patients and our community. That level of involvement and partnership is incredibly meaningful to us. We are deeply grateful to Steven for believing in our mission and for his dedication to helping us prevent, treat and ultimately cure cancer.”
“She taught that once you become successful, you can make the world a better place by doing nice things for people that are not as fortunate as you are. For me, that means supporting cancer research and cancer care at Sylvester.”
A Benevolent Benefactor
A generous gift from Dwoskin in 2020 established the Dwoskin Proton Therapy Center. One of the most advanced forms of radiation therapy, proton therapy allows doctors to directly target tumors with precision, destroying cancer cells while sparing nearby healthy tissue and organs. At the time it opened, it was the only proton treatment center in Florida located at an NCI-designated cancer center.
In 2023, Dwoskin committed a major gift to Sylvester to establish the Dwoskin Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Recognizing that brain tumors are the No. 1 cause of cancer death in children, this gift supports the work of Antonio Iavarone, M.D., director of Sylvester’s Brain Tumor Institute and deputy director of Sylvester, and Anna Lasorella, M.D., co-director of Sylvester’s Brain Tumor Institute, two renowned pediatric neuro-oncologists and experts in glioblastoma and other aggressive brain tumors. Their labs are dedicated to studying tumor cells to target genes and functions that allow the tumor to grow, proliferate and affect the brain around it. Using sophisticated tools and computational analysis, they hope to discover commonalities that can guide treatment.
In January 2026, Dwoskin made an additional gift to establish the Dwoskin Cancer Research Endowment. This endowment will support cancer research and ensure his legacy will carry on in perpetuity at Sylvester.
Most recently, Dwoskin assembled a team for the 2026 Dolphins Cancer Challenge, the Miami Dolphins’ signature fundraising event that supports innovative cancer research at Sylvester. In its inaugural year, the Dwoskin Dream Team, captained by his daughter, Lisa Dwoskin, raised $100,000, with funds earmarked for pediatric cancer research. The team brought together more than 100 participants, including his friends from elementary school.
Teacher Appreciation
Grateful to have had a teacher who made such a profound impact on his life, Dwoskin believes Mrs. Getzug would be proud to see what he has accomplished, both professionally and philanthropically.
“She taught that once you become successful, you can make the world a better place by doing nice things for people that are not as fortunate as you are,” said Dwoskin. “For me, that means supporting cancer research and cancer care at Sylvester.”
You can join Steven in supporting Sylvester by making a donation to the Dwoskin Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
Friends Forever
Steven Dwoskin and his childhood friends are living proof that old friends are the best friends
Steven Dwoskin, Kenny Zinner, Lenny Levy, M.D., and Judi Podvin Meyers met in the first grade at Miami Beach’s Central Beach Elementary School in 1949. Now in their 80s, they have remained close friends throughout the years, frequently reconnecting over lunch, proudly dressed in matching T-shirts printed with their third-grade class photo.
One recent reunion included a trip back to their old elementary school, where the three boys posed for a picture in the cafeteria, visited their old classroom and searched for a tree they used to play under on the playground. But most of the time, the friends’ lunches are a time to reminisce about childhood and share memories of their adventures and high jinks.
Each friend holds their own special memories of their childhood fun. For Zinner, that’s Saturday mornings spent fishing, going to the beach and playing pinball in one of the South Beach hotels, then getting hot dogs for a quarter. Dr. Levy recounts days of exploring office buildings and commercial spaces, including making up stories while discovering hidden elevators and stairways.
And for Meyers, it’s memories of how the boys always watched out for her when they all were young. “Looking back upon all the happy times we had together, we’re really lucky,” said Meyers. “I cherish my friendship with all of them.”
Supportive Friends
Because they are lifelong friends, they do what they can to support each other and their interests. For Dwoskin, that’s a longstanding partnership with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
He introduced Zinner and Dr. Levy to Sylvester, and they now also support his initiatives, most recently joining Dwoskin’s team at the Dolphins Cancer Challenge, the Miami Dolphins’ annual fundraising event in support of innovative cancer research at Sylvester.
“I was so happy to see such a wonderful event and such strong community support,” said Dr. Levy. “I have other friends from my other activities who are also supportive of Sylvester and raising money. I am very proud to discuss with them my good friend’s involvement. I’m honored to be so close to Steve and support him in his commitment to Sylvester.”
Zinner is also appreciative of his friend’s philanthropic nature. “My family has been personally touched by cancer, so I gladly support the important work Sylvester does, especially in the areas that Steve champions, such as children’s cancer,” he said.
Lasting Bond
The four friends realize a friendship like theirs is extremely rare. They value the importance of nurturing this relationship and strengthening a bond that was forged more than seven decades ago.
“There’s a saying that old friends are the best friends, and I think that’s so true. It’s hard to believe that these four little kids from Miami Beach would still be palling around together in our 80s, but we are. It’s amazing.”
