That mindset traces back to his childhood. Watching the moon landing didn’t inspire him to become an astronaut, but to join the unseen community making such achievements possible.

Behind Peter’s expansive vision is a deeply human influence: his wife, Susan. An artist, she brings a perspective that has profoundly shaped his thinking. Where Peter sees systems, Susan sees stories; where he sees data, she sees experience. Together, they believe innovation flourishes at the intersection of disciplines.

That belief also guides their philanthropy—and what drew them to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). They have long admired the NAM, Peter notes, as “an independent, evidence based voice in a world where scientific principles are too often questioned or politicized, NAM’s ability to convene experts across disciplines—and to break people out of their silos—is essential to progress.” Their gift, he adds, also honors Dr. Victor Dzau’s leadership and the integrity he has brought to the Academy.

Their approach to giving is grounded in leverage: investing in institutions whose influence extends far beyond their immediate work to generate lasting, positive change. Strengthening trusted, evidence-driven organizations like the NAM, they believe, is one of the most meaningful ways to contribute to society.

Looking ahead, Peter and Susan are optimistic about the future of medicine. They envision a world where artificial intelligence is thoughtfully integrated into care and research, expanding what’s possible while keeping human judgment at the center. Just as importantly, they hope for a renewed public trust in science and evidence, because without that foundation, even the most groundbreaking innovations cannot reach their full potential.