Current News

July 19, 2010

Oregon Senior Care Resident to Have Seattle Wish Granted 

Marquis Care Resident, Terry Vaughn, Returning to Seattle by Train After a 40 Year Hiatus

EUGENE, Ore. – Sixty-three year-old Marquis skilled nursing resident, Terry Vaughn, has been surrounded by trains his entire life. Working as a list driver for 20-years, Terry loaded trailers all the while dreaming of boarding one for an adventure all his own. On July 21st, Terry’s dream will come true when he rides from Eugene, Ore. to Seattle, Wash. on a three-day vacation featuring food, site seeing and the roar of the railway. The trip, facilitated by Marquis Care at Springfield, part of Marquis Companies, a skilled nursing, assisted living and home health care company, and its New Chapters Program, was sparked after a conversation Terry had with his Physical Therapist Assistant, Vera Collins.

“Terry is the type of person that doesn't like to ask for anything, so when I asked him what dreams he's had in his life, he seemed like he didn't want to burden me so it took a little bit of prying. One day he leaned over during his exercise session and said, ‘I've never been on a train. To be on a train and see the scenery would be amazing.’”

The New Chapters Program at Marquis encourages employees to listen to the hopes and dreams of residents and then work towards the realization of these, often life-long, aspirations. 

Terry’s last trip to Seattle was in the 70’s and he enjoyed himself so much that he wants to return again, some 40 years later. His journey will start in Eugene, Ore. on July 21st when the staff at Marquis Care at Springfield will hold an official send-off party for Terry where his sister Nancy and about 50 residents will attend. From there, the Amtrak train will take him, along with Vera and fellow Marquis employees Kirstin King to Seattle where they plan to visit Pike Place Market and dine at the Space Needle restaurant, SkyCity, perched more than 600 feet above the city.

About Marquis Companies
Marquis Companies provide skilled nursing, long-term care, assisted living 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 everyone each company serves and its employees – and created its Vital Life Foundation to fulfill that mission.