Timothy J. Anderson
Motivation to Change
In 2001, Tim Anderson was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. During the first eighteen months of being diagnosed with diabetes, Anderson lost five friends and colleagues from the complications of diabetes. This profound loss lead him to begin thinking of ways to positively impact the lives of African Americans who are at risk for diabetes and those who have diabetes.
In the spring of 2002, the Central Ohio Diabetes Association asked Anderson to serve as co-chair for the Call to Action Diabetes Interest Group, a task force created by the Central Ohio Diabetes Association and the Columbus Urban League. Under his leadership the Interest Group began looking at ways to address the diabetes health crisis within the African American community of central Ohio.
In the fall of 2003, Anderson’s passions lead him to develop a healthy lifestyle center. The Center’s objective to work with African American families to prevent diabetes and to better manage diabetes among those family members who have the disease. Through a comprehensive intervention program the Center assist families in developing healthy habits that will result in the prevention of diabetes and better glucose control. The Center provides hope to a community that has the highest rate of diabetes and diabetes complication than any other area of Columbus.
In the summer of 2004, Anderson developed the Walking in the Neighborhood program, designed to create walking clubs throughout the city of Columbus. The WIN program focuses on walking to help those with diabetes to improve blood glucose and create a greater sense of well-being. The program provides technical support to walking clubs, in the area of exercise, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle living. The program has more than 13 member clubs with more 800 participants, with the Driving Park Walking Club boosting the largest club with more than one hundred and fifty members. Both the Near Eastside Healthy Lifestyle Center and the Walking in the Neighborhood Program have collectively received funding in excess of $250,000.00 from the corporate community, foundations and the state government.
In the fall of 2004, Anderson was the recipient of a national award from the makers of Glucerna for an essay he wrote, titled Diabetes Freedom. As one of five national winners of the Glucerna Essay competition, his essay has been used to inspire those with diabetes to make healthy lifestyle changes for better health. The essay tells his personal story of the impact that diabetes has had on his family, friends, the community and himself. His personal mission taken from the essay is “… to give back to those who remain shackled to the devastation of diabetes so that they might have hope and realize diabetes freedom”.
GlaxoSmithKline, an international pharmaceutical company selected Anderson as one of its patient advocate leaders for 2005-2006. At the Patient Advocate Leaders’ summit held at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, he shared his vision to develop a community intervention approach for those who have chronic health diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The intervention program linked to healthcare providers and community health organizations would provide education, exercise, nutritional and other support for those diagnose with illnesses where healthy lifestyle changes improves patient health outcomes. Anderson believes that this approach to healthcare is a key component to closing the healthcare disparity gap that exists within urban communities and among racial and ethnic groups.
Anderson's involvement in community health has extended to being the co-creator and a frequent guest of the radio talk show “Diabetes Today”. A weekly one hour live radio show that discusses the issues of diabetes among African Americans. He is the author of two white papers the first titled “The Diabetes Urban Health Initiative” a community approach towards addressing diabetes in Columbus and the second white paper titled, Establishing an African American Men’s Health Support Group in the Central Ohio with a Community Health Intervention Component.
He serves as chairperson for the Near East Health Advisory Committee, sponsored by Columbus Public Health and charged with addressing critical health and wellness issues affecting nearly thirty thousand residents in the near eastside of Columbus. He continues to develop partnerships with health organizations and community agencies in addressing health and wellness issues with the goal of closing the healthcare disparity gap. In 2007, he was appointed to the Ohio Department of Health Diabetes Alliance Board.
Anderson’s passion has been recognized by state and local elected officials, the medical community and community based organizations. Former Ohio State Senator Ray Miller calls Anderson a passionate leader who has demonstrated innovated approaches to addressing the threat of diabetes within our community. The former Columbus Councilwoman Charleta Tarvares stated in a proclamation that he “…continues to make a difference through dedication and passion by introducing citywide health initiatives that will help save the lives of people he will never meet...”
Anderson believes that his mission and purpose is to improve the health and wellness of his community. He states, “…one make’s a positive difference in the health and wellness of the individual, the families and the communities through collaborations and partnerships”. He further states, “…each one of us is responsible for living healthy and well”. Anderson recognizes the role of our community is to ensure that the one and the many suffering from chronic diseases have resources necessary to live well.
Anderson’s expertise is frequently sought to speak on issues addressing healthcare disparities, health equities, community health initiatives and the diabetes epidemic. He brings a unique perspective and approach towards addressing these complex health issues.
Current Projects
· In My Backyard, The Health and Wellness Program a Health Renaissance Initiative
· The development of THE KITCHEN, Where Healthy Living Begins
A book titled, Whatever Happen to Otis A. Tyree (in development). This book examines the conditions existing in America that our leading causes for the poor health outcome among African American men. It further identifies solutions and strategies for addressing these health issues.
Email address: timanderson@inmybackyardhope.com
Tim Anderson's Blog: http://pebblesofhope.blogspot.com/2010/05/casting-pebbles-upon-still-waters.html
