Published May 2022
Mr. Timmy T. Nelson and wife, Lorraine, have resided in West Chester since 2003. Through his career, and volunteerism at Chester County Hospital and several other local organizations, Mr. Nelson has made an indelible impact on the lives of his employees, friends, and neighbors within our Chester County community. He represents all the best of the ingredients in "the special sauce" that defines Chester County Hospital.
Mr. Nelson retired as the United Parcel Service (UPS) Senior Vice President/Managing Director of State Government Affairs in 2015 after 38 years of service with UPS. He is dedicated to helping his community by serving the United Way of Chester County, the Board of Directors for the West Chester Food Cupboard, the West Chester NAACP, and the Board of Directors for the West Chester Area Senior Center, as well as various End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)-related activities and numerous other organizations.
Mr. Nelson is very active at Chester County Hospital. His current roles at the hospital include: serving on the Board of Directors of The Chester County Hospital and Health System ("TCCHHS") and The Chester County Hospital Board of Directors ("TCCH"), Turk's Head Board, Patient and Family Advisory Council, Diversity Council and Chaplain/Clergy Support Team for TCCH.
Mr. Nelson offered his perspective on what makes a leader effective: "In my opinion, the most effective leaders have the mind of a CEO and the heart of a social worker. I do not believe you can lead people unless you have knowledge, understanding and a willingness of servitude. I do not believe a true leader can/will ask someone to perform a task they are not willing to do. I also believe that with each person you meet, there is a takeaway. It is up to you to determine what people take away from their encounter with you."
It is easy to draw a positive correlation between Mr. Nelson's values and leadership perspective and the culture of Chester County Hospital. The symbiotic relationship he has with the hospital and president Mike Duncan (whose management philosophy is "Love People, Expect Excellence"), benefits all of us. In recent years, Mr. Nelson has served as a mentor and connected Mike Duncan with many Black leaders in the community to help develop programs, listening sessions and presentations to enhance the hospital's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
Chester County Hospital, along with the University of Pennsylvania Health System, is committed to uncovering and combating all forms of racism within the Healthcare System -- no matter how subtle. This is a continuation of the work already underway by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at Chester County Hospital and an endeavor to which Mike Duncan is deeply committed. "When I felt a need to learn how to be a better leader for our minority employees, I knew Timmy would be the perfect mentor. He has been wise and insightful."
We are grateful to Mr. Nelson for forging community partnerships and serving as a central advisor in the efforts toward societal change. (For more information about Nelson's impact, please read the hospital's 2021 Synapse magazine article, Page 10: "Creating A Safe Space When It Comes To Race".)
In addition to his leadership service, Mr. Nelson has been a loyal donor to the hospital's Annual Giving campaign and various fundraising activities. His philanthropy and spirit of volunteerism make Chester County Hospital a better place, and we are thankful for his contributions and friendship.