PeaceHealth and OCCU Foundation launch Partners for Health to formalize longtime collaboration

Partners for Health will expand community-based efforts to connect physical health, financial well-being, and access to care.

PeaceHealth and OCCU | Oregon Community Credit Union, together with OCCU Foundation, have launched Partners for Health, a new partnership that builds on a long-standing relationship rooted in service to the community. 

As Partners for Health, the organizations are aligning their teams to make it easier for residents of Lane County and beyond to access the care, support, and resources they need to live well. The collaboration is focused on expanding community-based programs and services that support whole-person well-being by strengthening physical health, while also helping individuals and families build financial stability. 

Partners for Health brings together PeaceHealth’s commitment to compassionate, high-quality care, and community health with OCCU’s focus on financial well-being, education, and community support. The partnership reflects a shared belief that whole-person wellness and financial stability are closely connected, and coordinated support will create practical pathways to a stronger, more prosperous communities. 

The organizations have a strong track record of collaboration, including support for Children’s Miracle Network, the expansion of child life specialist services, the Telestroke Program, growth of health care professionals, heart health, caregiver financial education, and other community-centered programs. 

“PeaceHealth has been a trusted collaborator for many years, and this partnership builds on that work,” said Greg Schumacher, president and CEO of OCCU. “Partners for Health brings together two steadfast Oregon organizations with deep roots in the communities we serve. By joining the strengths of PeaceHealth and OCCU, we can better support the caregivers, members, employees, and patients who count on us, while continuing to provide practical resources, education, and solutions that help individuals and families thrive, both physically and financially.”

“OCCU has been a true partner in every sense of the word, from supporting patient projects and expanding care across our shared region to serving on our foundation boards and investing directly in our caregivers,” said Jennifer Svihus, Chief Philanthropy Officer for PeaceHealth Oregon. “We’re excited to continue working alongside OCCU to increase our investments in community health and wellness.”“ 

Recent examples of the partnership in action include the Teen Health Screening and Teen Health Expo at North Eugene High School, where students received free heart checks and practical health education; the purchase of 39 automated external defibrillator (AED) units for Oregon State Police vehicles serving Lane County; volunteer collaboration connected to the Eugene Marathon; and PeaceHealth’s role as presenting sponsor of the upcoming OCCU Foundation Golf Classic, which brings together community partners to raise support for local health, education, and critical community needs.

The formalized partnership reflects PeaceHealth’s, OCCU’s, and OCCU Foundation’s shared commitment to enriching lives and supporting the people who live and work in the communities they serve.

About PeaceHealth
PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Washington, is a non-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, nearly 3,200 physicians and clinicians, more than 160 clinics, and 9 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.

About OCCU and the OCCU Foundation
OCCU is a member-owned financial cooperative committed to enriching lives through trusted financial services, financial education, and meaningful community investment. With a people-first approach, OCCU helps members build financial confidence while strengthening the communities it serves. Established in 2018, the OCCU Foundation extends this commitment by investing in nonprofit partners, programs, and initiatives that expand access, create opportunity, and support the well-being of individuals and families across the communities OCCU serves.