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St. Luke’s physician, team lend support to U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships in Boise
By Dave SouthornLast Updated July 28, 2025
Dr. Ann Erwin, center, has been closely intertwined with swimming in the Treasure Valley for three decades. At the US Paralympics Swimming National Championships in Boise in June, members of her team volunteered alongside her, including Tia Vert (far left), Dr. Elizabeth Rulon (first right next to Erwin), Diane Sands and their families.
Outside of her work as a St. Luke’s family medicine physician, Dr. Ann Erwin’s life has been focused on the water.
Her husband, Jeff, was on the United States National Swimming Team for three years. Her two daughters, Boise High graduates, went on to compete at the NCAA Division I level. In addition to supporting her family of swimmers, Dr. Erwin has been an official and a major supporter of the sport in the Treasure Valley.
The Erwins founded a competitive team, the Sawtooth Aquatic Club, and were leaders in what she called “a dream,” helping the creation of the Idaho Central Aquatic Center, a 50,000-square-foot pool facility in southeast Boise, which opened in summer 2023.
The U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships were held June 19-22 at the Idaho Central Aquatic Center in Boise.
“I went ‘all in,’” Dr. Erwin said of her support of swimming. “I spend the majority of my free time working on a pool deck … We are sorely short of water space in the Treasure Valley, but this was really compounded around the time of COVID, when most pools closed down.
“I can say with great pride and gratitude that we have filled a great need for aquatic sport and education in the community.”
Safe to say, it was a very special moment the weekend of June 19-22, when the Idaho Central Aquatic Center hosted the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships.
But Dr. Erwin also had some special help volunteering.
Medical assistants Diane Sands and Tia Vert as well as Dr. Elizabeth Rulon — all colleagues at St. Luke’s Clinic – Idaho Family Physicians — joined Dr. Erwin.
“The paralympic meet was an experience I will never forget,” Dr. Erwin said. “To see challenged athletes compete at such a high level was beyond inspiring. Their grit and determination just moves you to want to do better at everything in life.”
While Dr. Erwin had herself occupied with a long list of duties, her clinical teammates served as timers or helped the athletes directly. Noting that it was a great experience to have her team there, Dr. Erwin shared that the event “left a very positive impression” and is eyeing a potential return to Boise in 2026.