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Making the Rounds with Founding Dean Dr. Barbara Atkinson
 Issue 175 - Dec 11, 2018
In creating and building a medical school in Las Vegas, I have often found that the best advice comes from unexpected sources. While what I had learned heading two other medical schools has helped me immeasurably, one of the great things about being in Southern Nevada is having access to a diverse group of people from all over the world -- men and women from whom you can learn from their unique perspectives. So it was with Sandy Colon Peltyn, a native of Puerto Rico who suddenly passed away recently after an amazing career in marketing, public relations, political affairs and philanthropy. I was introduced to her by UNLV Vice President for Government Affairs, Luis Valera, who thought she could help our medical school better engage with the Latino community. He was correct. This woman celebrated by the Latin Chamber of Commerce as “Hispanic of the Year” and by Temas magazine of New York as one of the “Twelve Most Influential Hispanic Women in the Nation” was a strong supporter of our curriculum -- one which has medical students connecting with communities through community service throughout their training. Today, I hope you get a better sense of the impact this incredible woman had on Nevada.
Barbara signature, first name only
Remembering Sandy Peltyn, a true friend of the UNLV School of Medicine
Sandra "Sandy" Peltyn at a Clark County Medical Society event (courtesy: Clark County Medical Society)
When UNLV Vice President for Government Affairs, Luis Valera, suggested to Dr. Barbara Atkinson that she meet Sandy Colon Peltyn, he did so because of Peltyn’s sincere desire to make Southern Nevada a better place to live for all people.

“Her foundation alone (Foundation for Excellence and Distinction) raised money for more than a 100 scholarships a year for higher education,” said Valera. “She took her work in the community very seriously, making sure the money she raised had the intended impact....Her death leaves a gap that will not be filled.”

According to the Clark County Coroner, Peltyn was 72 when she died suddenly of natural causes Dec. 1 at her Las Vegas home.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she attended the Inter-American University in the U.S. territory, majoring in humanities with a minor in music. An accomplished singer, she performed throughout the world, including at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and produced two award winning TV shows in Puerto Rico as well as a talk show in New York.
After her husband’s death, Sandy continued to return the embrace of her new hometown. The publication Distinguished Women & Men in Nevada has credited her with helping raise more than $10 million for charitable or cultural activities in Southern Nevada.
She came to Las Vegas with her husband, Roger Peltyn, in the early 1980s. He was the president of Martin & Peltyn and the structural engineer who designed the steel skeletons supporting the Golden Nugget, The Venetian, The Mirage, Bellagio and other resorts. He died of heart failure in 2004 at age 60.

At that time, the Peltyns were involved in dozens of Las Vegas philanthropic and charitable projects. The Las Vegas Sun reported the couple had raised more than $4 million to aid people and causes in Southern Nevada. “When we came to the city, the city immediately embraced us,” Sandy Peltyn told the newspaper.

After her husband’s death, Sandy Peltyn continued to return the embrace of her new hometown. The publication Distinguished Women & Men in Nevada has credited her with helping raise more than $10 million for charitable or cultural activities in Southern Nevada. She spent several years as principal in charge of marketing and community relations for DeSimone Consulting Engineers.

Former President George W. Bush appointed her to an advisory committee of the arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and President Obama named her as one of 24 commissioners to perform feasibility studies in order to create the first-ever museum of the American Latino under the Smithsonian Institution.

She has been involved as a member, developer or supporter of organizations that include: the Latin Chamber of Commerce; the Greater Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce; Clark County Pro Bono Project; the Arthritis Foundation; College of Southern Nevada; American Heart Association; Kidney Foundation; Nevada Association for the Handicapped; the Clark County Medical Society; The Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Board of Directors; and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Her son, R.J. Peltyn, often accompanied her to functions.
Valera said he believes the death of Peltyn’s husband played a role in her keen interest in medical issues in Southern Nevada. “She has very much wanted the UNLV School of Medicine to succeed,” he said.

In 2014 Gov. Brian Sandoval appointed Peltyn to the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners, which deals with the licensing of doctors. A public member (not a physician), she took her position very seriously, according to Dr. Rachakonda D. Prabhu, president of the board.

“She only wanted well qualified doctors to be licensed,” said Prabhu, who attended a board meeting with Peltyn in Reno the day before she died. He and his daughter also had dinner with her later that evening. He added that Peltyn’s friendships with doctors over the years had deepened her interest in medicine.

Sandy also had been on the investigative committee of the medical board. “She was very interested in public safety and so kind and generous,“ Prabhu said.

In 2015 the Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Board of Directors named Peltyn its new board chair. She became the first Latina to hold the position with the St. Rose Dominican hospitals. Eugene Bassett, senior vice president of operations for Dignity Health Nevada said Peltyn had “greatly contributed to our healing ministry in Southern Nevada...she worked hard to ensure our ability to provide this much needed care for our patients, regardless of their ability to pay.”  

Peltyn helped local doctors through the Clark County Medical Society. “She was instrumental in the success of many galas and other programs,” said Dr. Jeffrey Roth, president of the Clark County Medical Society. “She was recognized for her commitment to the community and for her judgement...

In 2017 Dr. Barbara Atkinson was one of the “senoras” honored by Peltyn’s Foundation for Excellence and Distinction.

“Sandy loved what Dr. Atkinson was doing with the UNLV School of Medicine,” said Dr. Prabhu, noting that he and Peltyn often talked as they waited for a plane to take them to a board meeting in Reno. “She knew it was going to change our community for the better.”
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