Anchored in Care: John and Kim Falvey’s Gift to PeaceHealth
John and Kim Falvey’s generosity is building a legacy of care close to home at PeaceHealth Ketchikan.
For John and Kim Falvey, giving back is more than generosity; it is a commitment to the health of the community they call home. John, a mariner at heart, was born in New England but chose Alaska as his home more than two decades ago. He and Kim sold everything —the house, the cars, even his airplane and moved to Ketchikan without looking back. For twenty years, John led the Alaska Marine Highway System and became deeply rooted in his community. Ketchikan is not just home for this couple; it is where they have invested their lives.
After more than two decades here, John and Kim have seen firsthand how vital local healthcare is for an island hundreds of miles from the nearest major hospital. “PeaceHealth Ketchikan helped us when we needed it most,” John shares. “We’ve had scans, labs, ER visits and my wife spent a week in the hospital. The care has always been solid. It is not just the medicine that heals; it is the people.”
Out of gratitude and a desire to strengthen care for future generations, the Falveys made a planned gift to PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center. Gifts like these are a meaningful promise for the future, created by donors today to ensure their support continues long after. Their decision came long before John joined the PeaceHealth Ketchikan Foundation Board. It was rooted in their belief that strong healthcare saves lives
Living in Southeast Alaska comes with unique challenges: limited facilities, an aging population and seasonal surges from tourism. John hopes their gift will help PeaceHealth continue to meet these needs by upgrading equipment, attracting top doctors and ensuring emergency preparedness. “I want a hospital that meets the needs of this island,” he says. “For me, it’s personal. I’ve seen what happens when care is close and what it costs when it’s not.”
John and Kim want their message to reach anyone who hopes to make a difference. “You never know when you’ll need care,” John says. “And when you do, you want it to be ready. If you can give, even a little — it matters. It builds something bigger than any one of us. Invest in yourself and the people you care about by supporting healthcare close to home.”
The kindness of donors like John and Kim makes it possible for PeaceHealth Ketchikan to provide care that is both cutting edge and deeply personal. Their commitment ensures access to critical, compassionate care and a strong local hospital for generations to come.
“This is our home,” John says. “And we want to leave it better than we found it.”
About PeaceHealth Foundations: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a non-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. Since 1890, PeaceHealth has been guided by a Mission of healing and compassion. Today, PeaceHealth Foundations carry forward that legacy — powered by philanthropy and grounded in community. As the philanthropic partner to PeaceHealth’s nine medical centers and more than 160 clinics, we help expand access, advance technology and empower caregivers to provide exceptional and compassionate care. Every gift ensures that outstanding care continues to reach families, friends and neighbors throughout the Northwest. 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. Discover the impact of philanthropy at peacehealth.org/foundation.
