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. Boghossian
Dr. Stephen Boghossian has practiced surgery at Swedish Covenant Hospital since August 2010, but points out that his relationship with SCH started long before this. During his residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in the early 1990s, Dr. Boghossian served a rotation in Swedish Covenant’s surgery department, working with such experienced surgeons as Dr. Edward Paulissian and Dr. Spiros Giannoulias. Following his residency, Dr. Boghossian went into private practice at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, where he continues to split his time with Swedish Covenant.
For Dr. Boghossian, the question is not why would I support SCH, it is why would I NOT support it. “Swedish Covenant Hospital clearly cares for the community, and has also been good to me.” He explained, “this hospital has allowed me to share a novel approach to spine surgery and assist the Chicago Back Institute in becoming the leading center for spine care in the area.”
Dr. Boghossian currently lives in Glen Ellyn with his wife and two daughters. When he is not “on the job,” he enjoys playing golf and doing any activity with his children.
Like many other physicians and staff members, he provided a generous gift in response to the Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation’s recent annual appeal. Dr. Boghossian stated, “I am happy to support Swedish Covenant and am honored to play a role in such a progressive institution.”
Janelle Hail & National Breast Cancer Foundation
Janelle Hail, a 30-year breast cancer survivor, is the Founder & CEO of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF), one of the most highly recognized and respected breast cancer charities in the world. A relationship with Swedish Covenant Hospital formed in 2006 with NBCF recognizing a need in our community and awarded the hospital a grant for providing mammograms and other breast cancer detection services for underserved women on the north side of Chicago.
As an award-winning writer and professional speaker, Janelle has traveled across the U.S. and around the world inspiring women with her message of hope and NBCF’s mission to save lives through early detection and to provide mammograms for those in need. This mission includes increasing awareness through education, providing diagnostic breast care services for those in need, and providing nurturing support services.
Janelle states her appreciation for the excellent work SCH performs in “helping us save lives through early detection.” Swedish Covenant Hospital was proud to present Janelle Hail and the National Breast Cancer Foundation with a Spirit of Compassion award at the hospital’s 2010 Gala.
Our longstanding and highly successful partnership with NBCF remains strong as the hospital continues to receive much needed support through the Foundation’s generous grants. This partnership truly enables SCH to bring high quality cancer detection services to thousands of women who otherwise would not have access to this essential care.