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Roy Laver Swank papers, 1909-2015

Overview of the Collection

Cre
Swank, Roy L. (Roy Laver), 1909-
Title
Roy Laver Swank papers
Dates
1909-2015 (inclusive)
Quantity
40 linear feet
Collection Number
1998-009
Summary
Roy Laver Swank (1909–2008) was a neurologist best known for his research on multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly the role of diet in managing the disease. Swank began his MS research at McGill University in 1948 and later led the Neurology Division at the University of Oregon Medical School (now OHSU). This archival collection includes research, correspondence, audiovisual materials, personal records, and medical tools, reflecting a lifetime dedicated to MS treatment and patient care.
Repository
Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives
OHSU Historical Collections & Archives
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. MC:LIB
Portland, OR
97239
Telephone: 5034945587
hcaref@ohsu.edu
Access Restrictions

Some materials in this collection may be restricted due to the presence of protected health information (PHI) or other confidential information. Please contact Historical Collections & Archives for more details regarding access.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Roy Laver Swank (1909–2008) was born on March 5, 1909, in Camas, Washington. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington in 1930. This was followed by medical school at Northwestern University where he received both his M.D. in 1935 as well as a Ph.D. specializing in neurology and psychiatry. Dr. Swank completed his internship at Passavant Hospital in Chicago (1934–1936) and his residency at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston (1937–1939). He received a fellowship in Pathology in 1939 at Harvard Medical School along with a Commonwealth Fellowship in Neurology.

In 1948, Swank became a member of McGill University's Montreal Neurological Institute, where he remained until 1954, initiating his research into the impact of diet on Multiple Sclerosis. He then moved to the west coast to establish and lead the Neurology Division at the University of Oregon Medical School (now OHSU) from 1954 to 1976. Swank continued his multiple sclerosis research as a Professor and, later, Professor Emeritus at the University of Oregon. In 1993, Swank was directed by Dean Bloom to separate his multiple sclerosis clinic from OHSU and asked to relocate his practice off-campus.

Dr. Swank was a pioneer in the subject of multiple sclerosis, making breakthroughs in the field of blood filtration and dietary influences on the course of the disease. He also organized the private company Pioneer Filters, Inc. in Beaverton, Oregon, in 1973-1974. He later founded the Swank Multiple Sclerosis Clinic. Swank published six books and wrote more than 180 articles in his field and received various honors.

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Content Description

This collection encompasses a rich assortment of materials, including drafts, manuscripts, publications, and articles authored by Dr. Swank. It also features audiovisual items such as reel-to-reel films, filmstrips, photographic prints, VHS videotapes, and 35mm, microscopic, and glass lantern slides. Additionally, the collection includes bound volumes of his articles, original publications, and an extensive archive of personal correspondence from Swank's patients.

Series 1, "Multiple sclerosis work," spans Swank's lifetime devotion to multiple sclerosis (MS). This series is divided into three subseries. Subseries A, "Research, clinic, and exhibits" encompasses Swank's research, his original patients on the low-fat diet he pioneered, and his newsletters of the MS clinic. Subseries B, "The MS diet book," focuses on Dr. Swank's influential publication The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book: A Low-Fat Diet for the Treatment of M.S. Subseries C "Patient relationships," highlights Dr. Swank's connections with his patients. This section features memoirs from individuals whose lives were transformed by his work, correspondence from patients, and even a song written by a patient in his honor. Much of this material is restricted for patient privacy.

Series 2, "Correspondence," features exchanges with fellow multiple sclerosis researchers from around the globe, professional colleagues at OHSU, and personal letters with friends and family.

Series 3, "Career and research materials," is organized into seven subseries: (A) "Awards, certificates, and memberships" highlights accolades and professional affiliations; (B) "Employment and teaching career" documents Swank's academic contributions and educational roles; (C) "Research, exhibits, and data" showcases investigative work and professional displays; (D) "Papers and manuscripts" includes articles and drafts of papers Swank authored; (E) "Audiovisual" includes interviews with and about Swank and videos of hamsters used to study blood circulation; (F) "Lantern slides" features a collection of historical glass slides featuring brain scans, blood samples, and graphs of viscosity; and (G) "Microscopic specimen slides" preserves detailed microscopic specimens from Swank's work.

Series 4, "Personal records," is divided into three subseries. Subseries A, "General personal records," includes personal musings, high school and college documents, and private medical records. Subseries B, "Images of Swank's life" showcases an extensive array of family and professional images highlighting international travel experiences. Images here are in multiple formats, including slides, photographs, and 35mm negatives. For the negatives, "P" is used to denote partial strips of negatives and "I" for full individual (single) strips. Lastly, Subseries C, "Financials and real estate," contains records related to taxes, investments, and Swank's various private residences and rental properties.

Series 5, "Artifacts," is the final section of this collection and contains medical tools used by Swank during his career.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The OHSU Historical Collections & Archives is the owner of the materials and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the OHSU HC&A before any reproduction use. The OHSU HC&A does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Roy Laver Swank Papers, Collection Number 1998-009, Historical Collections & Archives, Oregon Health & Science University

Alternative Forms Available

Some records from this collection have been digitized and are available in the OHSU Digital Collections.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection has been arranged into five series 1. Multiple sclerosis work; 2. Correspondence; 3. Career and research materials; 4. Personal records; and 5. Artifacts. Series 3 and 4 have been further arranged into multiple subseries.

Acquisition Information

Materials donated by Roy L. Swank in 1998, and wife Leanna Swank from 2008 to 2014.

Related Materials

2008-003 Robert Stone Dow Papers; 2008-004 Neurological Sciences Institute Records (NSI); 2008-022 Casey Bush Collection on Robert Stone Dow

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Blood Cell Count
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Neurology

Corporate Names

  • University of Oregon Health Sciences Center
  • University of Oregon. Medical School

Occupations

  • Physicians

Maryanne Brown (rev.), Karen Peterson, Jeff Colby
2012, rev. 2025

CC0

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