Dr. Jack Tracy Swanson

Dr. Jack Tracy Swanson, M.D. May 2, 1944 - June 6, 2025 It is with great sorrow that the family of Dr. Jack T. Swanson announces his passing. Jack passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa, surrounded by his beloved wife, Mary Jo, and their four children. He was 81 years old. Jack Tracy Swanson was born on May 2, 1944, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Ward and Mary Swanson. He grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1962. Jack earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Iowa in 1966, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to complete his medical degree (M.D.) at The University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1970 and was elected ...[more]

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Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. As an undergraduate, Jack met Mary Jo Schaetzel of Denver, Colorado. They married August 16, 1968, at Montview Presbyterian Church in Denver and spent over 56 years together building a life rooted in love, family and shared purpose. After graduating from medical school, Jack completed a rotating internship at Highland General Hospital in Oakland, California, from 1970-1971. He returned to Iowa to complete his pediatric residency at The University of Iowa from 1971-1973. Dr. Swanson served in the U.S. Army as a pediatrician at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, from 1973 to 1975. He liked to say he started work there on the last day of the Vietnam War. In August 1975, Jack joined McFarland Clinic in Ames as a pediatrician--a role he often described as "the perfect job." Over his 44-year career, he conducted more than 200,000 patient visits, becoming McFarland's longest-serving physician. Known for his attentive care and friendly smile, Jack was loved by his patients and their families. His dedication, quiet confidence and gentle bedside manner endeared him to generations of families in central Iowa. Beyond his clinical practice, Jack was a lifelong advocate for improving pediatric care at the local, state and national levels. He was actively involved in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for over 25 years, serving the Iowa Chapter as President from 1988 to 1991 and contributing to numerous national committees, including: Practice & Ambulatory Medicine (1991-2002; Chairperson, 1998-2002), Task Force on Integrated School Health Services (1993-1994), Task Force on Medical Informatics (1995), Task Force on Circumcision (1997), Task Force on Reimbursement (1999), Task Force on Mental Health (2004-2025), Practice Action Committee (Chair, 2002-2005). One of his most enduring contributions came through his work on the Bright Futures Steering Committee (2002-2025), where he helped create the Bright Futures Toolkit, a nationally recognized guide for delivering preventive pediatric care from birth through age 21. He also served as a liaison to the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases (2002-2012), contributing to yearly updates and multiple editions of the Red Book, the go-to resource on pediatric infectious disease care. Locally, Jack served as Chief of Staff at Mary Greeley Medical Center from 1991-1993 and on the McFarland Clinic Board of Directors beginning in 1997, later becoming Vice President in 2000. He held an academic appointment as Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at The University of Iowa College of Medicine, where he contributed to continuing medical education and numerous advisory boards. Among his honors, Jack was recognized as one of the Best Doctors in America starting in 1996 until his retirement, received the Pediatric Recognition Award from Blank Children's Hospital in 1997, and was honored with the Innovation & Excellence in Medical Practice Award from Mary Greeley Medical Center in 2008. Jack's life was grounded in service, but filled with joy. He treasured time with family and friends, and enjoyed traveling, golfing, skiing and visiting the Colorado mountains. He was a member of the Noon Rotary of Ames. A dedicated Iowa State Cyclone fan, he rarely missed a home football or basketball game for 48 years. Jack is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, and their four children: Jay (Lori) Swanson of Ames, Rob (Jessica) Swanson of Huxley, Julie (Aaron) Stevens of Waukee, and Amy (Patrick) Finn of Glen Ellyn, IL. He is also survived by his eleven beloved grandchildren: Jack (Lydia), John (Celeste), Jeffrey; Madeline, Reagan, Simone, and Elliott Swanson; Luke Stevens; and Emma, Henry, and Maeve Finn--and his precious great-granddaughter, Eloise Swanson. He is also survived by his brother, Ward (Diane) Swanson, and his niece, Jennifer (Dave Denton) Parson, of Denver. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ward and Mary Swanson, and his nephew, Jeff Swanson. A visitation will be held Thursday, June 12, from 4-6 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Ames. A funeral service will take place at the same location on Friday, June 13, at 10 a.m. with a light lunch to follow. For those unable to attend, the funeral will be live-streamed at amesnpc.org. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to: McFarland Clinic Foundation 1215 Duff Avenue, Ames, IA 50010 To the many patients and their families of Dr. Swanson: remember him as your kind, considerate and compassionate doctor. He always looked forward to seeing your faces. Your time with him was as meaningful to him as it was to you. And above all else, may you remember his friendly smile. You will be forever missed and always loved, Smiling Jack.