Jamesport, NY — The East End medical and local communities are grieving the sudden and tragic loss of Dr. Peter Sultan, a respected orthopedic surgeon who collapsed and died during the Jamesport Triathlon on Sunday, July 14, 2025. He was 54.
Dr. Sultan had served at Peconic Bay Medical Center (PBMC) in Riverhead for more than two decades and was widely known for his excellence in hip and knee replacement surgeries, as well as his warmth, humility, and dedication to patient care. A consummate professional, a talented pianist, a devoted father, and a committed athlete, his unexpected death has left a deep void.
“He was my first real recruit at the hospital,” said Andrew Mitchell, former president and CEO of PBMC and a longtime friend. “He was truly one of Long Island’s finest orthopedic surgeons and a genuinely good person. I’m just devastated.”
Dr. Sultan’s medical pedigree was exemplary. He graduated magna cum laude in biology from Harvard University, received his medical degree from Weill Medical College of Cornell University, completed business studies at The Wharton School, and trained in adult reconstructive surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital through Harvard Medical School.
Despite this stellar academic background, those who worked with Dr. Sultan remember him most for his humanity.
“He wasn’t just a brilliant surgeon—he was kind, cautious, and cared deeply about doing what was best for his patients,” said Dr. Agostino Cervone, a fellow orthopedic surgeon and friend. “He always considered conservative treatment options before suggesting surgery. That kind of integrity earned him deep respect from colleagues and patients alike.”
Sultan was a passionate athlete who regularly participated in triathlons and was known to walk several miles daily. He also enjoyed cycling, running, and snowboarding. That he passed away while participating in an event he loved so much has only intensified the shock and grief among those who knew him.
“Peter took a chance on us—on this hospital and on this community,” said Amy Loeb, PBMC’s current Executive Director. “He helped build our orthopedic program from the ground up. Thanks to him, thousands of people are walking, moving, and enjoying life with their families again.”
Lisa Hubbard, who started at PBMC alongside Sultan in 2005, described him as initially quiet, but deeply respected by everyone. “He was very shy at first,” she said, “but once he got comfortable, he opened up. Everyone loved Dr. Sultan. This loss is deeply personal to all of us.”
The hospital atmosphere has been unusually quiet and somber since the news broke. Staff have been visiting Sultan’s unit and practice, consoling one another and ensuring that patients remain their top priority—a testament to the culture he helped create.
“He led by example,” said Loeb. “Even in their grief, his team insisted on personally calling and rescheduling patients, saying, ‘They’re our patients.’ That’s the impact Dr. Sultan had.”
Dr. Sultan lived in Westhampton and was a devoted father to his teenage children, Elizabeth and William, whom he often spoke of with love and pride. “They were his world,” said Dr. Cervone.
As the community mourns, there are no words to fully capture the weight of this loss. Dr. Peter Sultan’s legacy will live on—not just in the lives he helped heal, but in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.
May his memory be a blessing.
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