Research has shown that having a strong relationship with a health care professional can improve a person’s well-being. In the case of Maine businessman Peter Lunder, his friendship with Massachusetts General Hospital physician James J. Dineen, MD, not only improved his personal well-being — it transformed healthcare education into a cornerstone of safe, high-quality care, and improved the lives and health of patients and families across the state of Maine and throughout Mass General Brigham’s (MGB) local, regional and global community.
“Personal connection with patients is something every Mass General Brigham clinician strives for,” says David F. M. Brown, MD, president of academic medical centers for MGB. “But the deep bond between Dr. Dineen and Mr. Lunder is something truly special in the lasting impact it has had on the lives of thousands. It is an extraordinary legacy, rooted in kindness, friendship and a shared love of place that will be long remembered in our institution’s history.”
A Regional Connection
It was precaution that brought them together. As a young man putting in long hours at the Dexter Shoe Company in Dexter, Maine, Peter — whose father had died unexpectedly at age 50 — decided to take a preventative approach to his own health to avoid a similar fate. He started getting regular checkups with a local physician, but he also decided to find a second primary care doctor — one connected to a major medical center, in case he needed specialized care. A family member suggested he meet Dr. Dineen at Mass General.
The two clicked almost immediately, bonding over a deep love of the Boston Red Sox and a shared connection to Maine. Dr. Dineen had grown up in Gardner, Maine, a factory town not far from Waterville and Dexter, where Peter was living and working.
“It was a lovely friendship right from the start,” says Marjorie Lunder, Peter’s daughter.
“The deep bond between Dr. Dineen and Mr. Lunder is rooted in kindness, friendship and a shared love of place that will be long remembered in our institution’s history.”
A Turning Point
In 2010, Peter underwent major heart surgery at Mass General. During the long procedure and recovery, the Lunder family turned to Dr. Dineen for updates and assurance.
“Every morning during the 30 days Peter was in the hospital, Jim came by,” says Paula Lunder, Peter’s wife.
As Peter’s condition improved and he transitioned to cardiac rehab, he and Dr. Dineen would take short walks. It was on one of these walks that the two friends struck on an idea. At the time, a new clinical building was under construction in the heart of the Mass General campus. As they neared the site, Peter gestured to the new structure.
“What’s that going to be?” he asked.
Dr. Dineen replied, jokingly, ‘Well, that’s going to be the Lunder building!”
Peter was surprised, but, after a moment’s thought, responded: “Sure, but how does that help Maine?”
Peter had been looking for a way to give back to Mass General. At the same time, he felt a desire to help the people of his home state.
“Maine had been so good to us,” Peter says. “We wanted to return the favor and do something for the families and people that worked for us.”
After weeks of brainstorming, Dr. Dineen and then Mass General President Peter Slavin, MD, presented Peter with a solution.
Building a Philanthropic Legacy from the Ground Up
In 2010, the Lunder Foundation of Portland, Maine presented Mass General with a gift to support the new building, which was named in honor of the Peter and Paula Lunder Family. In addition, the Foundation contributed an additional $5 million — later increased to $7.5 million — which was matched by Mass General, to develop and launch an educational initiative aimed at improving healthcare across the Pine Tree State.
The Lunder-Dineen Health Education Alliance of Maine (Lunder-Dineen, as it is known) was founded in 2011 on the belief that the best way to improve healthcare outcomes is by improving healthcare education. Lunder-Dineen addresses inequities and pressing public health and workforce needs through three signature programs: the training and retention of nurse preceptors, expanding access to oral health for older adults, and addressing unhealthy alcohol use. Since launching, Lunder-Dineen has touched the lives of thousands of health care professionals across the state by providing actionable evidence-based education, caregiver support and access to experts.
“Health education is a potent medicine, and Peter recognized the value in that,” says Dr. Dineen. “It’s been very satisfying to see the impact it’s had on communities across the state.”
A Bridge to the Future
In 2022, encouraged by the success and impact of Lunder-Dineen Health Education Alliance, the Lunder Foundation made a transformational gift of $50 million aimed at reinventing health care education at Mass General. Known as the Lunder Learning Initiative, this new commitment established three linked, interdependent educational projects: the Peter L. Slavin, MD Academy for Applied Learning in Health Care, the Lunder Learning Hospital, and the MGH Learning Endowment.
The Peter L. Slavin, MD Academy for Applied Learning in Health Care serves as the institutional hub for this ambitious effort, providing office spaces, conference rooms, collaboration areas and a library — all centrally-located in a newly dedicated space next to the Ether Dome in Mass General’s historic Bulfinch Building. The Lunder Learning Hospital, slated to be built into the existing campus as the Phillip and Susan Ragon Building becomes operational, will function as a “teaching hospital in microcosm” where students, trainees and staff across MGB will train together on life-like simulators and instructional models. The MGH Learning Endowment will help ensure and sustain the long-term impact of the Slavin Academy and Lunder Learning Hospital by providing flexible funding and through the establishment of two endowed chairs.
Together with the Paul S. Russell, MD, Museum of Medical History and Innovation, as well as a conference center and auditorium now being constructed as part of the Ragon Building, the Slavin Academy and Lunder Learning Hospital will reinforce Mass General Brigham’s role as a world leader in health professions education, and a destination for shared learning to improve care for all patients.
“Lunder-Dineen has become a state-wide model for how Mass General can extend its educational impact beyond the limits of our own campus,” says James A. Gordon, MD, MPA, Mass General Vice President of Education and Chief Learning Officer. “The Lunder Learning Initiative takes that concept to the next level, helping transform our system into a worldwide educational hub for the next century, and making it easier for us to share our expertise with peer institutions all over the world. And it wouldn’t have been possible without the friendship between these two men.”
A Lasting Friendship
More than 50 years after their first meeting, Mr. Lunder, 92, and Dr. Dineen, 87, are still in regular contact. As the friendship has deepened over the years, so too has their mutual respect.
“Peter is just so sharp,” says Dr. Dineen. “From the start, he kept me grounded and focused on how we could create programs that really make a difference for people. And that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
While the Lunder name will forever be a part of Mass General history, Peter is quick to recognize the role that Dr. Dineen played in his philanthropy and all that its accomplished.
“We believe in Mass General and Mass General Brigham 100 percent, and Jim is such big part of that,” he says. “He’s a beloved physician to thousands who has redefined the patient-physician relationship. He’s always been there for us, and it was his values and vision that started us on our way. He’ll always be my friend.”
To learn more about the Lunder-Dineen Health Education Alliance, the Lunder Learning Initiative, and other education efforts at Mass General Brigham, contact us.
