Ken Norgan continues family's tradition of giving

From a young age, Ken Norgan remembers his family’s involvement with philanthropy. It is no surprise, then, that after a long career of owning and operating McDonald’s franchises in Chicago’s north suburbs, Ken has continued his family’s tradition and found his own passion in giving back.Ken’s parents were among the first McDonald’s owners in the late-1950s, at which time Ken began his career with McDonald’s flipping burgers and working the fryer. Thirteen years later, in 1971, after receiving his undergraduate and graduate degrees in linguistics from University of Michigan, Ken took over the family business. His interest in charity grew and he became involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities. It was through his involvement with this charity that he learned about Swedish Covenant Hospital.In the late 1990s Ken was a member of the committee at Ronald McDonald House Charities that granted funds for the pediatric playroom at Swedish Covenant Hospital.Ken is drawn to organizations that are making a direct impact – and he recognized this in Swedish Covenant Hospital.“I’m fascinated by the diversity and cultures served by Swedish Covenant Hospital. As a safety net hospital, it does a wonderful job of meeting the needs of such a diverse community,” Ken said.A member of Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation Board of Directors since 2008, Ken has been integral in making important projects like the Swedish Covenant Hospital Healing Garden and the Mayora Rosenberg Women’s Health Center possible. The center is part of the Women’s Health Initiative, which aims to increase access to care for women in the community.“I saw the Women’s Health Initiative as wonderful effort by Swedish Covenant Hospital and a genuine effort to address a specific community,” Ken said.Ken is proud to serve the Swedish Covenant Hospital community through board service. In particular, he is inspired by projects that are created to meet the needs of the diverse community and vulnerable populations. He also appreciates the opportunity to learn more about the changing health care landscape.In addition to Swedish Covenant Hospital, Ken has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Swedish American Museum in Andersonville since 1995, and is on the Board of Directors of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. He is a former board member of Common Threads, the James Jordan Boys & Girls Club, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.