Richard and Roxy Pepper

Richard Pepper grew up visiting his grandparents, who lived near Swedish Covenant Hospital on Leland Avenue in Lincoln Square. As a result, he has always felt a strong connection to the hospital, and today views it “as a little jewel right in our big city.”

This childhood connection has transitioned into a life-long relationship based on helping the community.
“Swedish Covenant Hospital has done a lot for the community, and we want to be a part of it,” he said.

Richard and his wife, Roxy, have not only been generous donors to the hospital, they have helped make the physical facility what it is today. Richard is the CEO of Pepper Construction, a company which takes on many of the construction projects that have transformed the hospital since 1990.

“Donating to this hospital is just a very rewarding thing. It makes you feel good,” Roxy said. “My father was very big on giving money away. He didn’t have much money but everything he could give, he did, and I want to do the same.”

In 2008, Richard and Roxy’s gift resulted in the Aqua Garden/Fountain located in the center of the new Healing Garden on the hospital campus.

“We look forward to helping patients feel better through the fountain. It’s nice to have green space in the city and in a hospital setting,” Richard said. “It’s such a great feeling to see all of the things we have contributed to and say ‘wow I can’t believe we were able to do it.’ We’re pleased to do this for SCH.”

Dr. Yelda

Dr. Sharuk Yelda served as an orthopedic surgeon at Swedish Covenant Hospital for 27 years. Today, he credits Swedish Covenant Hospital for all his success in work, service to the community and even his marriage — he met his wife, Beth, here.

In his many years at Swedish Covenant Hospital, Dr. Yelda developed a personal relationship with the hospital and the Covenant Church. He and his wife have written the hospital into their wills to show their lasting appreciation.

“We don’t have children, so the hospital was always a priority for us,” Dr. Yelda said. “I worked here, took care of people here, met people here and good bonds were developed with this hospital — the staff, administration, nurses — so we feel at home here. The patients, doctors, employees and nurses are like our extended family.”

The Yeldas said they believe the hospital provides patients with excellent nursing care, cutting-edge technology and a beautiful healing environment.

“This is a good hospital giving good medical care to its patients, and I wanted to help expand that,” Dr. Yelda said.

Dr. Berestenko

Dr. Larissa Berestenko immigrated from Russia in 1996 and immediately began her residency at Swedish Covenant Hospital. Throughout her three years of residency and ten years of service as a family medicine physician, she felt at home in the hospital.

“When you come from a different country, you need to feel acceptance, and here I felt it from day one,” Dr. Berestenko said. “I was really well-accepted here and received really good training in all areas.”

In 2008, Dr. Berestenko decided to give back to the hospital through a generous donation to show her support for the organization.

“I was recently walking on the bridge and I saw ‘Giving is Healing’ on the wall. I really feel satisfied (for giving) and I hadn’t thought about that before,” she said. “I was given so much support and help and education here, and now I want to give back.”