Current News
Aug. 18, 2010
Wilsonville Senior Citizen Wish Will be Granted to Race Again
Marquis Care Resident, Harry Barber, Set to Take His Turn at the Portland International Raceway
PORTLAND, Ore. – On August 18th, Marquis skilled nursing resident, 88 year-old Harry Barber, will take to the tracks fulfilling a long-time dream of racing at the Portland International Raceway. The trip, facilitated by Marquis Care at Wilsonville and Consonus Pharmacies, part of Marquis Companies, a skilled nursing, assisted living and home health care company, and its New Chapters Program, was concocted after hearing about Harry’s storied past in the racing community. The New Chapters Program at Marquis encourages employees to listen to the dreams and hopes of residents and then work towards the realization of these, often life-long, aspirations.
Harry Barber was born in Turner, Oregon as the ninth of ten children in his family. At the age of 19, Harry met his wife Margaret and they were married one month later, prior to his deployment for the army that fall. Harry survived five beach landings in Africa and Italy earning a purple heart while serving under General Patton in the third infantry division.
After an illustrious army career, Harry returned in 1944 to his wife and a new love of Jeep racing. In the late 1960’s Harry helped co-found the Salem Jeep Racing Club where he excelled in this adrenalin-filled sport. In an unfortunate accident in a particularly challenging race landed Harry in the hospital where it was determined that he would have to in fact lose a portion of his left leg. Undeterred, Harry keeps a positive attitude towards life and can often be found talking about his racing history and the joy that it brought into his life.
Upon hearing of Harry’s colorful past, the staff at Marquis Care in Wilsonville reached out to the owners of Pro Drive for a chance to put this racing giant back behind the wheel.
About Consonus Healthcare Services
With more 20 years of experience, Consonus Healthcare Services provides rehabilitation, pharmacy, staffing and consulting services to the long term care industry. Consonus’ comprehensive pharmacy services are designed specifically for the long-term care industry, which allows facilities to maximize occupancy, increase resident retention and improve residents' functional independence. Based in Portland, Ore., Consonus serves more than 160 customers in California, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Idaho and Nevada and has pharmacy locations in Portland, Redmond, Wash. and Vacaville, Calif.
About Marquis Companies
Marquis Companies provide skilled nursing, long-term care, assisted living, at home care and memory care throughout its 26 facilities in Oregon, California, Montana, Idaho and Nevada. Marquis’ sister company, Consonus, provides pharmacy, rehabilitation, staffing and consulting to the long-term care community. Both family-owned companies share the mission to promote the vitality within their employees and everyone the companies serve– and created its Vital Life Foundation to fulfill that mission. For more information, visit www.marquiscompanies.com.
