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Swenson, Erin, M.D.
Family Practice
Biography
Contact Info:
Office: 208-756-6212
Facility:
Steele Memorial Clinic
805 Main Street
Salmon, ID 83467
Education:
Undergraduate Degree:
Bachelors of Arts in Communication and Creative Writing, University of Tampa,Tampa, Florida
Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Science, University of South Florida, Tampa Florida
Graduate Degree:
Doctorate of Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
Internship:
Family Medicine Residency of Idaho
Residency:
Family Medicine Residency of Idaho
Certification:
Board Certified in Family Medicine
Biography:
Juanita Erin Swenson, MD grew up in an agricultural suburb of Tampa, Florida with three sisters and a brother. Her mother was a stay at home mom and father worked as a contractor for the family business as well as a Southern Baptist minister. After several years in the contracting business, Erin’s father and his brothers bought a wholesale building supply business. The wholesale business currently employs the majority of the Chadwell clan. Dr. Swenson, however, embarked on a different route. Medicine actually was not her first calling; she was a free spirit, enjoyed traveling and initially avoiding math and science classes in school. Her first undergraduate degree came from the University of Tampa, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Creative Writing which suited her lifestyle at the time. It was during this time that she met her best friend and soul mate, Chris Swenson. The two married shortly after completion of her bachelor’s degree and set off to conquer the world through music and writing.
For most of her young adult life, she and her father worked side by side volunteering for medical mission work in Haiti. The father and daughter team spent ten years working on and off in Haiti, experiencing adventures and witnessing incredible sights. After gaining experience from working in the country for several years, Dr. Swenson took on the responsibility of coordinating medical teams. It was through this international work, and the ability to work alongside some amazing women, that she recognized the power of women which helped push her to towards a career in medicine. Dr. Swenson stated she had wanted to be in a position to encourage people and states that “It’s important to be a part of a collective experience and help people along the way.”
In 2005, Dr. Swenson received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science followed by a Doctorate in Medicine from the University of South Florida College of Medicine in 2009. She and her husband Chris decided on attending the Family Medicine Residency of Boise through the University of Washington because of its rural appeal. All her life, Dr. Swenson wanted to give back to wherever her skills were needed. After their experience in Haiti, she realized, “We didn’t have to go far to find a place that needed health care. It was in our own backyard so we decided to switch gears and stay in the states to help our brothers and sisters.” She chose family medicine because it offered a full spectrum of rural medicine education.
Through her residency, she and Chris visited Salmon and were awestruck. She states, “Salmon is such a neat and functioning town in the middle of the wilderness.” In 2012, Dr. Swenson accepted the Family Practice position at Steele Memorial Medical Center (SMMC) and became Board Certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Swenson enjoys working at SMMC because of the relationships with patients and colleagues. She feels that this is a growing and positive environment where the hospital supports the physicians and allows the physicians to grow at their own pace. SMMC as a whole is working towards the greater good and wants to serve the community. “The hospital is on the edge of doing great things and there is a great buzz in this medical community. The nurses are really compassionate and excited about what they do, the employees want to make this a better place and everyone is so committed to working together.”
Dr. Swenson feels her work does not define who she is; it’s just a part of what she does. She loves to chase life and push it to the edge and hope it doesn’t push back too hard. She is an avid mountain biker, enjoys camping, hiking, rock climbing, volunteering, downhill skiing, back country skiing and is a regular outdoor enthusiast. Dr. Swenson and her husband Chris volunteer to support local organizations and businesses such as The Hub, Salmon Valley Stewardship and Salmon Search and Rescue. For her work with Salmon Search and Rescue, she received an avalanche level 1 certification and is currently working on avalanche level 2 certification. “The work with Salmon Search and Rescue allows me to explore my love for wilderness medicine, connect with first responders in the community, which provides a forum to continue wilderness education”. She and her husband sit on the board of the Salmon Idaho Mountain Biking Association and are working to build, maintain and improve recreational trail opportunities. Her husband is a volunteer ski patroller at Lost Trail and works as a Physical Therapy Technician with Nan Bryant. Together, they have grown from trying to change the world to supporting and growing local communities.
Her message to the community is: “Every life has a unique and special purpose. Never take your life for granted. Find your passion and embrace you life!”
More/Other Information:
Dr. Swenson, MD has been with Steele Memorial Medical Center since 2012.
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