Early Life
Forrest Lee Preston was born on March 22, 1933, in Massachusetts. He was raised in a religious household, as his father was a Seventh-day Adventist pastor. Preston attended Walla Walla College and Oregon State University. His original intent was to become a medical doctor, and he became a certified X-Ray technician.
Rise to Success
Preston moved to Cleveland, Tennessee, in the late 1950s and co-founded Hospital Publications with his brother, Winton Russell Preston. The company created patient booklets and public relations materials for hospitals. Through this business, he observed the conditions of elderly patients in hospitals and concluded that there was a need for better long-term care. In 1970, he founded Life Care Centers of America in Cleveland. Under his leadership, Life Care Centers of America grew to become the largest privately owned long-term care facility chain in the United States.
Key Business Strategies
Preston's key business strategy involved recognizing and addressing the need for improved long-term care for the elderly. He focused on expanding Life Care Centers of America, providing quality care, and making it the largest privately-owned nursing home chain in the United States.
Philanthropy
Preston is known for his philanthropy and has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, healthcare, and the arts.
