Philanthropy provides a map for life

Dr. Richard and Jackie Swanberg are an active and extraordinarily well-traveled couple. Married 47 years, they recently celebrated their anniversary on a cruise off Papua, New Guinea. Together they have traveled to more than 269 countries on the Traveler’s Century Club list of 330 countries and territories, and 173 countries on the United Nations list of 194 sovereign states. They started traveling the world with their family when their children were both young, instilling a passion for learning and doing by visiting foreign lands.

Rich, a member of the Healthcare Partners Medical Group, was a Family Medicine physician for more than 41 years, including 22 years at Adventist Health Glendale, where he taught at the Family Medicine Residency program. With Jackie, a critical care nurse, the Swanbergs deeply understand the importance of healthcare excellence. As young professionals, they often volunteered with medical missions to China and Africa. They seamlessly inspired their family to work hard and accomplish big things. The instilled in their children two family values: no challenge is too big, and giving helps hearts mend. Agreeably “normal and not fancy schmancy”, the Swanbergs feel honored and blessed to support causes that “make their hearts sing.” 

Their recent donations to Adventist Health Glendale are commemorated by plaques in the 5^th floor staff lounge “Dedicated with love to JEFF SWANBERG and to ICU NURSES everywhere.” Having lost Jeff in a tragic car accident the Swanbergs know nothing replaces losing a son far too soon and yet Jackie describes how giving back to the hospital a place he deeply cared for makes her “feel him and his arms around us” and is uplifting. 

Having worked in the medical field and seeing the challenges of family and friends navigating and relying on quality healthcare inspires the Swanbergs to support projects over the years at their home hospital, such as the West Tower expansion, and The Sam and Grace Carvajal Comprehensive Breast Center. Most recently, after touring Adventist Health Glendale’s cardiac catheterization (cath) lab, they began orchestrating the necessary paperwork for both the Glendale Noon Rotary and the Rotary District grant approval in purchasing two much-needed X-ray protective shields for the cath lab. 

What’s next on their busy itinerary? Exploring the geographic North Pole. On this trip, their son, Scott, who has completed all 50 state marathons and the six major world marathons and Ironman triathlons, will run a marathon at the North Pole. Rich and Jackie with throw in a 5K run while there. 

The Swanbergs are an inspiration of how philanthropy can provide a map for life!