POCATELLO - With five children and another on the way, Ann Swanson said it's important to have balance between home and work.

"Workplace balance is an important concept to live. It's something that's always on the front of my mind," Swanson said. "For me, it means I don't take a lot of work home on the weekends, so my workdays are pretty intense, but I do that so I can spend the time with my family."

Swanson joined Portneuf Medical Center three years ago as a marketing analyst. She was serving as PMC's marketing and media manager last fall when she was promoted to director of marketing and community relations.

"I really appreciate Portneuf's flexibility and the freedom I have in getting my work done," she said. "It's important for me to be able to balance home and work. If I am able to do that, I am happier with both."

Although she earned a bachelor's degree in communications and two master's degrees - one in health care administration and the other in gerontology - from the University of Southern California, Swanson's first dream was to entertain professionally.

She spent nine years in Southern California pursuing her dream of acting, and did attain some success.

"I worked semi-professionally writing and performing sketch comedy and doing commercials," Swanson said. "I eventually decided I needed a more reliable career. I really admire people who can be a performer and handle a family."

But Swanson also said she hasn't sacrificed creativity for stability.

"There are a lot of creative outlets in this job," she said.

And now for the questions:

ISJ: What's your favorite food?

Swanson: See's Candies' Dark Chocolate California Brittle - they will ship it packed in dry ice if you want it in the summer.

ISJ: Who's your ideal next-door neighbor?

Swanson: My parents or brother, but they should probably be around the corner rather than next door.

ISJ: If you could return to any age, what age would you be and why?

Swanson: I don't really want to go back.

ISJ: When (and if) you arrive at the gates of Heaven, what would you like to hear God say to you?

Swanson: See? Everything worked out all right.

ISJ: Any regrets?

Swanson: Regrets aren't very useful. I am happy with where my choices have taken me.

ISJ: What's the heaviest piece of furniture in your house?

Swanson: The 4-bed loft/ bunk unit we built for the kids.

ISJ: What was the last good book you read?

Swanson: "Hug" by Jez Alborough - great kids book.

ISJ: What's your favorite sport?

Swanson: To watch live: baseball. To play: tennis.

ISJ: What was your favorite vacation?

Swanson: Driving with my friend Robin from Barcelona to the Basque region of Spain and hanging out on the beaches of San Sebastian in 2005.

ISJ: What was the best day of your life?

Swanson: When my son was born.

ISJ: What was the best piece of advice you ever received?

Swanson: You cannot ever please everyone. I wish I could remember that more often.

ISJ: What's the best and worst invention ever patented?

Swanson: The automobile

ISJ: What is your guilty pleasure?

Swanson: Watching Cheaters!

ISJ: What chores do you do around the house?

Swanson: Most sooner or later, but stain and spill management is my specialty.

ISJ: What's your idea of the perfect vacation?

Swanson: Somewhere without e-mail or cell phones.

ISJ: Favorite entertainer?

Swanson: My family - I get a lot of laughs and drama.

ISJ: What is your ideal "last meal?"

Swanson: Veggie burrito from the taco bus parked at University of Southern California main campus.

ISJ: What's your greatest fear?

Swanson: Losing a child.

ISJ: What can't you do that you wish you could?

Swanson: Help all kids feel loved.

ISJ: What's your motto?

Swanson: Don't get stuck on any one motto.