Heart disease is personal to Peter Semenza, vice president of philanthropy at St. Peter’s Health Partners. Semenza lost his father to a heart attack in 2004. He turned that loss into something that benefits the community and became a New York State Certified Firefighter and first responder.
“Peter’s whole career has been in philanthropy, and being a firefighter and first responder is a manifestation of that work,” said Michael-Aaron Poindexter, chair of the board of directors of the American Heart Association in the Capital Region; chief program officer at The Regional Food Bank; and senior pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church. “His work as the vice president of philanthropy at St. Peter’s supports our entire community. He has also supported the American Heart Association personally and been a member of the Executive Leadership Team of the Heart Ball for many years, bringing more businesses to help support our lifesaving mission. He is truly deserving of the Donald Led Duke Heart Hero Award.”
Semenza will receive the award at the Capital Region Heart Ball on Friday, Feb. 27, at the Albany Capital Center. The Heart Ball supports the work of the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere.
“I am humbled and honored to be selected for this award which commemorates the legacy of Don Led Duke,” said Semenza. “The work of the American Heart Association plays an instrumental role in advancing heart health throughout our community. St. Peter’s is a hospital well known for specializing in exceptional cardiac and vascular medicine; my connection with the Association has been a very natural fit.”
When contemplating the connection between his philanthropy efforts and firefighting, Semenza points to a “common thread of my passion for helping people in need. I am at my best when I am helping others.”
“Spending my entire career in the Capital Region, with a focus on philanthropy, has been very fulfilling,” he added. “I have had the opportunity to partner with many philanthropists in our community to advance the mission of St. Peter’s Health Partners. Every day, it is a pleasure to help shape our hospital’s future.”
Semenza has also served as the executive director of the St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation and vice president of development at the Center for the Disabled. Originally from Albany, he holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from the University at Albany. He also serves on the board of the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation and is a commissioner of the Halfmoon Waterford Fire District #1. He resides in Halfmoon with his wife Marie; his son, Lucas, is a senior at High Point University and his daughter, Michela, and her husband, Benjamin Poynter, reside in Massachusetts.
About the Capital Region Heart Ball
The 2026 Capital Region Heart Ball is set for Friday, Feb. 27, from 5:30 – 11 p.m. at the Albany Capital Center. Steven Hanks, MD, president and CEO of St. Peter’s Health Partners and St. Joseph’s Health, is chair of the event. Rocco DeFazio will share his story of surviving heart disease. Peter Semenza of St. Peter’s Health Partners will receive the Donald Led Duke Heart Hero Award. Grand Central Station will perform. Sponsors include St. Peter’s Health Partners, BBL, Broadview Federal Credit Union, Tri-City Rentals, CDPHP, Albany Med Health System, CDTA, Hometown Healthcare, CBS 6, the Times Union and B95.5. For information, visit www.heart.org/HeartBall518.