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Submitted by PeaceHealth

As a way to give back to the community that gave so much to him, Peter H. Paulsen, former Bellingham resident and retired commercial property developer and investor, has given $100,000 to both the Whatcom Hospice and PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical CenterFoundations through the foundation that bears his name. This substantial support will fund exceptional care for patients and families in Whatcom County.

Paulsen, who currently resides in Arizona, is best known for designing, building and originally owning Hotel Bellwether and its surrounding properties. He reports that his generous gifts are in gratitude for the generous support of his development work in the early 2000s. 

“The Bellingham community helped me become the person I am today, and for that, I am forever grateful,” he said. “I am fortunate to have good health, but I know that there are many in Whatcom County who are not so lucky. It is my hope that these gifts will help relieve pain and suffering for those who are ill and their loved ones in equally transformative ways.” 

“We are humbled, uplifted and grateful for this generous gift from the Peter H. Paulsen Foundation,” said Anne Rasmussen, MBA, CFRE, chief development officer of PeaceHealth’s Northwest network. “Whether it’s acute, chronic or terminal, illness is a burden that should not be faced without support. These donations will give us a significant boost in providing skilled, healing and compassionate health care for anyone who in our community.”

Rasmussen added, “Mr. Paulsen is truly ‘paying it forward’ in a profoundly meaningful and impactful way. Thank you is just not enough.”

Whatcom Hospice Foundation is committed to providing compassionate end-of-life care for every patient in need, regardless of ability to pay, to more than 1,300 hospice patients each year. This includes: skilled nursing care in the patient’s home or nursing home facility with hospice contracts; nursing services on call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week (including holidays); assistance with personal hygiene and skin care; arrangements for durable medical equipment and physical therapy services in the patient’s home when medically indicated; volunteers to help with direct patient care, errands and to provide companionship; social workers to help patients and families deal with terminal diagnosis, treatment and family issues; and grief support for family members.

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation supports exceptional patient care in Whatcom County. It gives life to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center’s healing mission by “promoting personal and community health, relieving pain and suffering, and treating each person in a loving and caring way.” Exceptional healthcare investments in Whatcom County include: capital renovations and expansion; medical equipment, advanced technology, innovative programs and services; and investment in clinicians through advanced education and wellness programs. 

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