Lenny Peters M.D. - Barefoot to Benefactor: My Life Story of Faith and Courage

Advance Praise for
Barefoot to Benefactor

Lenny Peters faith shines through on every page of his book. Its a faith that can buoy us through the obstacles that keep us from manifesting our lifes work, just as it has done for Lenny.

Anthony Atala, M.D., Professor and Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and Chair of the Department of Urology at Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina

Its so refreshing to read the life story of a man who learns, aspires, and finds creative ways to do good in the world. His faith in God and in others has led to great accomplishments, yet he remains rooted in his humility and generous desire to give. Dr. Peters memoir encourages our faith and resilience. That is his gift to us.

David Mounts, Chairman/CEO, Inmar Intelligence

I dare anyone to read Lenny Peters life story and not come away with a renewed sense that anything is possible when we believe. A true original, Lenny will inspire you to be your best self.

Roy E. Carroll II, Owner and CEO, The Carroll Companies

A wonderful book! Lenny Peters has led a remarkable life that can motivate us all to stay connected to our faith and our communities.

Derek L. Ellington, Managing Director, Business Banking, Atlantic-South Region Executive, Bank of America

Lennys winning memoir recounts how one man, for all of his triumphs, has never forgotten his roots. His story makes anything seem possible, and this uplifting book will inspire you to make the world a better place.

Dave Horne, Government Relations Lawyer Partner, Smith Anderson Law

I have often wondered how Dr. Lenny Peters acquired his business acumen, his healing abilities, and his compassion for othersand through this generous memoir, now I know. With his trademark self-deprecation and large-hearted spirit, Dr. Peters relates a life full of blessings that he never takes for granted.

Rick Callicutt, Chairman, Carolinas and Virginia Pinnacle Financial Partners

Lenny Peters paints a vivid portrait of his childhood in India and how his faith in God moved him to turn obstacles into opportunities, to better himself and those around them. This memoir is a stirring testament to how building yourself can allow you to offer more to others.

Paul Mengert, CEO, Association Management Group

Lennys story of coming to America, achieving success, and giving back couldnt be timelier. For anyone looking to unite their Christian values with their professional lives, this book proves it can be done while staying true to oneself.

Senator Don Vaughan , Adjunct Professor of Law, Wake Forest University

A POST HILL PRESS BOOK

Barefoot to B enefactor:

My Life Story of Faith a nd Courage

2021 by Lenny Peters, M.D., and Lenny Peters Foundation, Inc.

All Right s Reserved

I SBN: 978-1-6 3758-196-4

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-6 3758-197-1

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021903508

This is a work of nonfiction. All people, locations, events, and situations are portrayed to the best of the author s memory.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author and publisher.

All author proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to help orphans and terminally ill people worldwide through the Lenny Peters Foundation. For more information please contact .

Cover design by L aura Duffy

Post Hill Press

New York Nashville

posthil lpress.com

Published in the United States of America

To my children, Shirin, Elise, Anthony, and Nicole.

Contents

S elf-quarantining at home during the COVID-19 pandemic has had its benefits, allowing me the opportunity to write this book.

A special thanks to my business partner and daughter, Elise Peters Carey, for her commitment to taking my legacy and my spirit to the next generation and beyond.

I would also like to thank J.R. and Matt, my sons-in-law, and Ashley, my daughter-in-law, for their special contributions to our family.

I am grateful and humbled to have been allowed the honor of welcoming into the world, and into our family, my grandchildren, Cosimo, Adeline, Soma, Charlotte, Isabel, Edward, and James.

This book is also dedicated to the many angels without wings who have touched my life and left a positive mark in some way. At every turn, throughout my life and across four continents, these kind souls have unselfishly, with compassion and sometimes with tough love, helped steer me toward greater opportunities and have guided me along this journey toward my destiny.

I stood still, not moving a fraction of an inch. Inside, I was trembling. I couldnt believe this was happening. Again. Tiny pins pricked ever so slightly with every breath. Still, I knew the result would be stunning. The designer, Luis Machicao, had pinned his exquisite suits on movie stars, world leaders, even royalty. And now he had come to me, hadnt even demanded I fit the suit at his studio as was his custom. Instead, he stood in my bedroom, measuring and pinning, draping and tucking, so that I could wear his original design when I went, once again, to the White House.

Unlike the other times, when Id been invited to join large events, this time I had been invited for a private meeting with the president, where I would meet the heads of state, the vice president, and their families. Of course, Id had the honor of meeting such illustrious figures before, but not in such an intimate setting. The suit, this time, had to be perfect. It had to surpass any suit Id ever worn to meet presidents in the past.

The occasion was Christmas, so the fabric we had selected for the formal jacket was a deep garnet red, with the most subtle brocade woven into its silk threads. The trim, a simple, classic black, matched the stylish black slacks. An elegant but festive suit coat, one that spoke of both wealth and confidence, the confidence to wear red before the most powerful man in the world.

Nice suit, the president would later say, taking the fabric between his fingers. Id like a jacket like this. Where can I get one made?

Mr. President, I answered with pride, I shall have a suit like this made especially for you.

He smiled, pleased. He pulled me aside and introduced me to other prominent figures. We spoke about India, my home country. Earlier, at the reception of two hundred people, all dignitaries, senators, and wealthy patrons, I was struck to see I was the only Indian among them. Not like prior events at the White House. This time, I alone represented my home country.

Later in the evening, speaking with the chief of staff, I asked, Where is the Indian ambassador? I seem to be the only Indian here.

Oh, he wasnt invited, he answered, shrugging his shoulders. Youre more important.

Whether flattery or truth, it didnt matter. I swelled with pride, marveling at how far I had come in the six decades since my birth. Could I ever have imagined I would be in private company with the president of the United States?

And yet from the start I somehow knew that that had been exactly the destiny before me. It was the universe that led the way.