Peter Costa, 2024 Alumnus of the Year: Finding his purpose | University of Nevada, Reno

He’s a very lucky man, I remember thinking as Peter Costa ’84, ’88 M.D. described a small ritual he enjoys during evening strolls across campus with his wife, Inge — pulling weeds from the planters. It reminded me of something my father would say whenever he saw our neighbor caring for his planters, “He’s a lucky man because he does it with joy.”

Peter has all the makings of a longtime, die-hard University of Nevada, Reno supporter. He earned both a bachelor’s degree in community, social and health resources and a medical degree from the University. He’s established three endowments — two for scholarships and one supporting University libraries. He’s a member of the Legacy Society, and Inge, who also attended the University, describes him as someone who “bleeds silver and blue.”

I’m surprised when Peter tells me he never imagined he’d become deeply involved with the University later in life. So, how did that happen?

Finding his community

Born in Reno and raised in Carson City, Peter is a fourth-generation Nevadan with strong University ties. His father, James P. Costa ’54; mother, Norma Jeanne Annett Costa ’59; and several cousins are part of his legacy. However, Peter was especially influenced by his grandfather, Norman T. Annett ’32, a mining engineering graduate.

“He’d drive me around in an old Jeep, prospecting in the hills,” Peter said. “I spent a lot of time with him and wanted to be like him.”

In Peter’s own words, his choice of attending the University was driven by both family tradition and opportunity, as his interest in sports medicine aligned with the University’s relatively new School of Medicine, which was established in 1969.

“I applied to several universities, but there was never much doubt about where I wanted to go,” Peter said.

His experience as an undergraduate student living in White Pine Hall was not just books and studies, though. With a smile on his face, he told me about the day when, as a prank, he and his friends carried a dormmate’s Volkswagen bug halfway across campus, placing it on the library steps for no other reason than a laugh.

“The friendships you make on campus form bonds that last forever,” – Peter Costa.

These relationships influenced Peter’s professional life. One such friendship led him to an exchange program at UMass Amherst, where he gained new appreciation for art, jazz and diversity. He is understandably proud of the lasting relationships he maintains to this day.

Finding his calling

It was during an ethics and health systems class with Barbara Thornton ’57, now professor emerita, when a seed was planted that began to point Peter toward his future.

“When you’re that young, you can’t see past next weekend,” Peter said.

“You don’t necessarily think about ethics when you’re preparing for medical school, but I found it fascinating.” – Peter Costa

His interest led him to become a teaching assistant for Professor Thornton, where he gained insights into health inequities and disparities — lessons that shaped his career. He carried these lessons into his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he experienced one of his most memorable interactions as a physician.

“One of my patients was a young man who was a professional motocross racer,” Peter said. “He had a tragic accident, broke his spine and was paraplegic. He was dealing with a lot of anger and depression, but he still completed his rehabilitation program. He left the unit in a wheelchair.”

“Then one day, after I hadn’t seen him for a while, I’m walking across the parking lot toward the outpatient rehabilitation facility, and I see this wheelchair flying out the front door. It’s the same young man with a big smile on his face, just whipping his wheelchair through the parking lot. He pulls up next to this big old wheel drive pick-up truck, and in one movement, he opens the door and pulls himself up, grabs the wheelchair and puts it in the back of the pickup, shuts the door and hits the driveway.

“He was in a much better place,” Peter recalled with emotion. “As a physician, that sticks.”

After completing his residency,  Peter and Inge moved to Medford, Oregon, in 1993, where he treated patients with brain injuries, strokes and spinal cord injuries, and served as team physician for several local high schools.

Yet, even during this time, his heart remained tied to Nevada. When Peter and Inge, welcomed a daughter in 1995, they named her Carson in honor of their Nevada roots.

Finding his way home 

In 1996, the Costa family relocated to Nevada for Peter’s “dream job” at Tahoe Fracture and Orthopedic Medical Clinic. By 2000, he had become a U.S. Ski and Snowboard team physician, and in 2001, the director of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team (USSA) Spine Program. The Tahoe Daily Tribune wrote about Peter: “It takes precision, ability and courage to be a member of the U.S. Ski Team; it takes a unique person to be responsible for the care and health of the athletes.”

Peter’s role took him around the world with elite athletes, though he always felt particularly rewarded when treating the people of Nevada and the Eastern Sierra. Peter also mentored several University of Nevada medical students, who completed clerkships with him.

The passing of his grandparents brought about a shift for Peter.

“After my grandparents passed, I wanted to do something to honor them,” Peter said. “They supported me in many ways throughout my education. They supported the University, but they weren’t that close to it. However, the University paved the way for my grandfather with his mining engineering degree. It led me being here, and it led to us being here. My wife and I wanted to honor that, so we started an endowed scholarship for mining engineering and agriculture students in my grandparents’ honor.

“After my grandparents passed, I wanted to do something to honor them,” – Peter Costa.

“Our experience was so positive that we decided to honor my parents in the same way.”

Peter and his brother, Paul — along with Inge and Paul’s wife, Julie — started an endowed scholarship for graduates of the high schools where their father had taught or served as a principal, as well as an endowed fund to support University libraries in honor of their mother.

Peter’s involvement with the University has continued to grow. He served on the Nevada Alumni Council from 2014 to 2020. Now retired from medical practice, he serves as a Foundation Trustee and on several campus committees. Peter and Inge regularly attend performing arts and athletic events, on-campus lectures and presentations. They are members of the Legacy Society, ensuring their support for future generations through planned giving.

Peter stays engaged by learning how much more work is left to do and hearing stories of other people who are contributing toward the same mission.

“I really don’t think I have given more than anybody else,” Peter said. “And really, one of the things I enjoy the most is that my wife has been by my side in doing all these things. When it comes to supporting, the University is at the top of her list, too, and I’m very proud of what we have accomplished. Education offers an opportunity for people to build their lives, which benefits our community, our region and our state.”

When he is not cheering for the Wolf Pack, you may find him picking up litter downtown, removing sagebrush from the “N” on the hill (so it doesn’t look like “Swiss cheese”) or walking across campus with Inge, pausing to pull the occasional weed.