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Dr. Marjorie Swanson:
Celebrating the Spirit of Life
When Marjorie Swanson joined the staff of Women’s College Hospital in the 1950s, it was a small, friendly and supportive community. “I knew everyone,” she says. “The doctors were a fascinating bunch, and they stuck together.” She remained at the Hospital, eventually serving as Chief of Family and Community Medicine from 1969 to 1972.
Dr. Swanson grew up in Toronto, the daughter of a hospital administrator. After working for a decade as a bacteriologist, she applied to medical school. When she graduated, she chose family practice and eventually joined Women’s College. “I’m so glad I went into medicine,” she says. “You get to know so many wonderful people.”
Dr. Swanson is a member of the Women’s College Hospital Spirit of Life Society. For more than 20 years, the Society has celebrated those who remember Women’s College through a bequest, gift of life insurance, or other future gift arrangement. In abeyance while the Hospital was merged with Sunnybrook Health Centre, the Society is once again active.
Society members are invited to an annual luncheon and other exclusive Foundation events, receive a Spirit of Life lapel pin, and if they choose, are recognized in the Women’s College Hospital Foundation donor listings. “Planned gifts are important to Women’s College Hospital,” says Pati Greenwood, Vice President, Resource Development. “They ensure that future generations of patients and community members will benefit from our research and care.”
At the annual Spirit of Life luncheon, held on June 26 in the Women’s College Hospital Foundation Board Room, Dr. Swanson joined 13 other members to hear about current research and future directions at the Hospital, and to explore historical exhibits from the Archives. Hospital CEO Marilyn Emery attended the event at which Dr. Lorraine Liscombe presented her research, and Foundation CEO Joanne Cole outlined the Hospital’s plans for redevelopment.
“I owe a lot to Women’s College,” says Dr. Swanson in explaining her generous commitment. “I had a lot of interesting times there.”