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Russell Swan “
It’s really a unique opportunity to bring some of the world’s newest and best technology to patients here in Montana where it previously wasn’t available to them.
Getting to markedly improve people’s lives is all the reward Dr. Russell Swan needs to enjoy his work as an ophthalmologist for Vance Thompson Vision. Giving people their vision back, or giving it to them in the first place is at the core of what Swan does. It’s a bonus that Swan finds the work interesting, too. “I always kind of had a heart for service oriented career paths. And what really drew me to medicine originally was just the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life,” Swan said. “One of the things I love most about ophthalmology and eye care is it’s one of the very unique areas in medicine where a lot of what we’re
OCTOBER 2023
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doing is enhancing or making people’s lives better.” Swan, 38, focuses on surgical and complex eye care at Vance Thompson Vision in Bozeman, and also travels to Billings to care for patients there. Swan said he is drawn to participating in research trials. “It’s really a unique opportunity to bring some of the world’s newest and best technology to patients here in Montana where it previously wasn’t available to them,” Swan said. “We want to have a commitment to the world’s best technology, that commitment to the world’s best technology really starts with participating in FDA clinical research trials.” Swan said he is also
passionate about getting eye care to people who may not be able to afford it, and partners with a group called Operation Sight to give free surgery to patients. When not working in Montana, Swan also volunteers with a group that trains eye surgeons in Central America, and plans to travel to Honduras in January with that group. Faith, family and work are at the core of Swan’s life. He and his wife volunteer with their church, and keep plenty
busy looking after four kids and enjoying all the outdoor activities Montana has to offer. Swan also volunteers with Thrive, following a lifelong passion for mentorship. “They do in my opinion, one of the best jobs of really partnering with students and families in creating meaningful connection and partnership and helping bridge challenging situations for kids and families,” Swan said.