CLEVELAND/EWORLDWIRE/Oct. 10, 2005 --- Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. is an outstanding physician, surgeon, teacher, entrepreneur and leader with roots in the Cleveland community.Born and raised in Cleveland, Stephens attended Cleveland Public Schools and graduated from John Adams High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. After college graduation, he served as a commissioned officer on active duty in the U.S. Air force for three years.
Upon his return to Howard University after military service, he earned a Medical Doctorate degree in 1961. Upon completion of postgraduate training in orthopaedic surgery at the Boston V.A. Hospital, Tufts University service of the Boston City Hospital, Harvard University and New York University, Stephens ultimately came home to start practice, and began the legacy of excellence for which he is being honored.
Stephens, who is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery, has a love of teaching, as indicated by his significant leadership roles in the medical education of future orthopaedic surgeons. He is an assistant clinical professor of orthopaedic surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He is a former director of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at St. Vincent Charity Hospital and also served in this same capacity at St. Luke's Hospital where he was Director of the Orthopaedic Residency Program for several years.
Stephens has published in peer reviewed surgical literature. He has received many awards for teaching excellence. As one example, in 2000, Danek, Inc., an orthopaedic equipment manufacturer, established an award in the name of Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. for scientific papers presented by residents at the annual meeting of the National Medical Association.
A trailblazer in his chosen profession, Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was the first African-American Orthopaedic Surgeon in the state of Ohio and founded the first African-American Orthopaedic group practice in this state, Associates in Orthopaedics, Incorporated. He served as the senior Orthopaedic Surgeon of the group until his retirement in January of 2000. Associates in Orthopaedics continues to thrive under the leadership of his associates, Dr.'s Curtis Smith, Audley Mackel, and his daughter Dr. Susan Stephens, as one of the few minority Orthopaedic Surgery groups in the country.
Dr. Stephens is a member of several professional societies and has held leadership positions in many organizations. He served as the President of the Medical Staff of St. Luke's Hospital and Forest City Hospital. He served as President of the Cleveland Medical Association and Chairman of the Orthopaedic Section of the National Medical Association from 1993-1997. Dr. Stephens was instrumental in establishing a committee of Orthopaedic Surgeons that is active in promoting opportunities for minorities in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Stephens was a member of the Ohio State Medical Board from 1984 to 1994 and served as president from 1987 to 1989. Active in many community organizations, Dr. Stephens was a founding member of the Glenville Health Association , former member of the Board of First Bank NA, and was a director of the first privately funded minority capital company(MESBIC) Glenco Enterprises, Inc. licensed by the Government to exclusively assist members of minority groups to own or expand their businesses. He also served on the Greater Cleveland Round Table and presently is a member of the Board of the MetroHealth Foundation.
Besides his medical and community activities, Dr. Stephens has maintained an exemplary and rich personal life. He was married for 45 years to the late Dr. Consuelo Sousa. Dr. Stephens is the father of Timothy (deceased), Dr. Susan Stephens, and Dr. Amy Stephens. He is a devoted grandfather to Timothy (8), Connie (6) and Paige (7 months).
A living testimony to the mission embraced by Health Legacy of Cleveland to preserve the pool of African-American physicians and dentists in the Cleveland community, Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was instrumental in the return of his well-trained, dynamic daughters to the Cleveland community. Dr. Susan Stephens an Orthopaedic Surgeon and Dr. Amy Stephens an Obstetrician Gynecologist are well respected physicians in this community.
The city of Cleveland and the community at large have been enriched and enhanced by the life and work of Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. It is a better community today because of his commitment to excellence in education, business, community service and medical care.
Health Legacy of Cleveland is privileged to honor Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr., as the 2005 Recipient of the Health Legacy Award for Excellence.
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