Bellingham, WA — Peoples Bank has reaffirmed its century-long commitment to community health and well-being with a $1 million philanthropic investment supporting construction of the Peter Paulsen Pavilion at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. The gift, made in 2021 through the Stronger Together Campaign, is now taking shape as construction progresses on the transformative healthcare expansion.
Founded in 1921, Peoples Bank has long prioritized community investment as a core value. This latest contribution reflects a legacy of care and responsibility to the Whatcom County community, ensuring access to high-quality healthcare for generations to come.
Construction milestones for the six-story Peter Paulsen Pavilion are already underway. Demolition of the former North Tower main lobby began on May 4, marking the next phase of development. Once completed, the Pavilion will expand emergency and inpatient services, enhance Women’s and Children’s care, and increase the number of private patient rooms—delivering improved care environments for patients, families and caregivers.
“At Peoples Bank, we believe community investment goes beyond infrastructure—it’s about people,” said Charles LeCocq, Chairman and CEO of Peoples Bank. “When we learned about the need for an improved medical center in our community, we knew we needed to act. The Stronger Together Campaign represents a commitment to ensuring healthcare access for everyone, regardless of circumstance.”
LeCocq emphasized that the decision to give is rooted not only in corporate values but also in personal legacy. He credits his parents, Irwin and Frances LeCocq, for instilling a lifelong belief in philanthropy through their contributions to education, civic initiatives and community institutions across Whatcom County.
“Their example shaped how I lead today,” LeCocq said. “Strong communities don’t happen by accident—they are built through intentional care, partnership, and investment.”
As a locally rooted organization, Peoples Bank recognizes its shared responsibility in addressing community needs. The Peter Paulsen Pavilion project reflects that commitment, providing space designed to support patients during life’s most critical and vulnerable moments while equipping caregivers with the resources they need to deliver exceptional care.
“We all live and work here. We raise our families here,” LeCocq said. “Supporting essential services like healthcare is part of our responsibility as community partners.”
For LeCocq, healthcare is deeply personal. Like many families, his experiences within hospital walls have shaped his vision for what the Pavilion will represent in years to come.
“I hope patients feel seen and supported, caregivers feel empowered, and families know they are not alone,” he said. “That is what this investment is ultimately about.”
Peoples Bank hopes its leadership will inspire others to reflect on their role in shaping the future of healthcare in Whatcom County.
“Philanthropy should be central to leadership,” LeCocq said. “It reflects how we want to be remembered and demonstrates a long-term commitment to the communities we serve.”
Through this $1 million investment, Peoples Bank is helping bring the Peter Paulsen Pavilion to life—fulfilling a promise that high-quality care will be available when it matters most, and that community-driven investment can create lasting impact.
About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a medical group practice with more than 1,100 providers and nine medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.
The above was provided to Whatcom Business Journal for publication and is being published without revision. No effort was made to confirm any information provided. The author(s) are solely responsible for the content.
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