Lynda Carter supports next gen of “wonder women” surgeons

On a recent spring day, acclaimed actress, singer/songwriter, and philanthropist Lynda Carter toured the Brady Urological Institute’s Surgical Learning and Innovation Center of Excellence (SLICE).

There the intersection of technology and humanity is on full display as 3D printers generate like-life practice organs — that even bleed like real organs. Surgical trainees use the DaVinci robot for mock surgeries and have their moves tracked and analyzed to provide feedback, increase confidence, and develop expertise. These kinds of innovations highlight the incredible potential for using technology in surgical rehearsal and education, ultimately improving patient outcomes in the operating room.

The new $10 million gift from the Robert and Lynda Carter Altman Family Foundation will help propel that work even further. The gift advances and names the Robert Altman Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery at the Brady Urological Institute — a bold investment in accelerating surgical innovation, advancing education and training, and rapidly translating emerging technologies into the clinical setting.

The new division, nicknamed “RAD” to reflect its cutting-edge research, aligns with Lynda Carter’s mission to invest in talented people while honoring Robert Altman’s legacy of improving the human condition through technological innovation.

The late Robert Altman built his career as an entrepreneur and game developer, but according to his wife, Lynda Carter, his belief in the power of technology was always rooted in something deeper: a belief in the limitless potential of human beings.

Among his many achievements, Robert Altman revolutionized the gaming industry as the co-founder and head of ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks which created iconic games and franchises including Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and Starfield.

“This gift will allow us to think bigger, to act quicker, and to discover things that we don’t even know about today,” says Mohammad E. Allaf, a minimally invasive surgeon; the Jakurski Family Director of the Brady Urological Institute; and the Urologist-in-Chief at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. “It creates an opportunity for us to continue redefining what is possible in minimally invasive surgery.”

For Allaf, the gift is deeply personal. Robert and Lynda became first acquainted with Allaf when Robert was successfully treated for prostate cancer, undergoing a radical prostatectomy at Johns Hopkins. Allaf says throughout this medical care and beyond, they developed a friendship grounded in mutual respect, intellectual curiosity, and a shared drive to push boundaries.

“Robert had been incredibly successful in his life, and I went to him for advice on a few things that were very influential for my career and ultimately what we’ve been able to build in my department,” Allaf says.

Lynda Carter also notes similarities between the two men, particularly their ability not only to excel in their respective fields, but to inspire and elevate others around them.

“That’s one thing Robert and Dr. Allaf have in common, this ability to take what they were very good at and build a much larger vision, as well as be a mentor and care about the individual,” she says. “And I can never thank Dr. Allaf enough for the care he provided for my husband.”

Lynda Carter believes her husband would have been especially proud to support the next generation of surgeons and innovators through this gift.

“I know for my husband, he’d be so happy to help push this technology and the vision of Dr. Allaf into the future,” Lynda Carter says of this gift. Smiling, she adds that she is particularly excited about how the division will help support young surgeons, including the next generation of “wonder women” surgeons.

Allaf agrees the impact will not only be seen in technological advancements, but also in empowering students and fundamentally improving the health of patients at Brady and beyond.

“The Carter Altman Family Foundation’s gift enables us to invest more in humans, to invest in infrastructure, to pivot in developing the latest minimally invasive treatments, but also to implement these treatments and share these developments with the world,” Allaf says.

He adds that the true measure of RAD will be felt in operating rooms, classrooms, and patient recovery journey for years to come, carrying forward Altman’s belief that technology when guided by human compassion and ingenuity can change lives.