RIVERHEAD, NY — Peter G. Sultan, MD—a respected orthopedic surgeon known for hip and knee replacement surgery at Peconic Bay Medical Center and Stony Brook University Hospital, and a gifted self‑taught concert pianist—has passed away at the age of 54. For more than two decades, Dr. Sultan cared for patients across Long Island, balancing surgical excellence with a passion for music that set him apart in the medical community.
Dr. Sultan earned his medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College and completed residency and fellowship training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital in adult reconstruction for hip and knee surgery. He also holds a Wharton School degree from the University of Pennsylvania, equipping him with management acumen that shaped his leadership in medical quality committees and departmental governance.
At Northwell Health’s Peconic Bay Medical Group, Dr. Sultan served as chair of the orthopedic department and quality committee. Colleagues remember him as a surgeon with exceptional technical skill—especially in hip and knee replacement surgery—and a compassionate presence, deeply invested in patients’ recovery and outcomes.
Yet beyond the operating room, Dr. Sultan was celebrated for the healing power of music. According to staff at Peconic Bay, whenever stress from surgery became overwhelming, he could be found playing the piano in the hospital lobby between procedures. That gesture of solace became a beloved routine: “He’s one of those hidden gems … he will come down and play the piano … between surgeries”. His spontaneous performances fostered camaraderie among staff and offered comfort to hospitalized patients.
Dr. Sultan’s dual talents—as an orthopedic surgeon skilled in joint replacement and as a self‑trained concert pianist—were unique in Riverhead’s medical community. Patients and staff described him as kind, patient, and invested in making everyone feel heard and valued. His ability to blend medical expertise with artistry made him a fixture not only in surgical wards but in community fundraisers and hospital events.
In testimonials, Dr. Sultan is remembered as a mentor and leader. His management training from Wharton supported his role in improving healthcare operations, while his musical flair added color to daily routines. His patient satisfaction ratings averaged 4.3 out of 5, reflecting trust in both his skill and demeanor .
Dr. Sultan loved musical storytelling and was often introduced in local events as “the orthopedic surgeon who plays like a concert pianist.” His advocacy for wellness through music underscored a broader commitment to holistic care—a recurrent theme in how the Peconic Bay Medical community spoke of him.
He is survived by his family—who have requested privacy at this time—and the numerous patients, colleagues, and community members whose lives were touched by his surgical skill and his musical spirit.
Dr. Peter Sultan’s passing marks the end of a remarkable career characterized by excellence in hip and knee replacement surgery, leadership in orthopedic care, and the unexpected joy that came when he sat at the piano to play. His legacy will endure in every patient who walked tall again after joint surgery and in every note played for solace in the hospital corridor.
