Timothy L. Stephens, Jr., M.D.

E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home | Live Cask

Timothy L. Stephens, Jr., M.D. was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 30, 1932.  He was one of four children, Willa Mae Carpenter (deceased), Dr. Gloria Smith and Deborah Phoenix (deceased), born to Timothy Stephens, Sr. and Ella Mae Saunders.  Timothy Stephens, Sr., who came to Cleveland from South Carolina, was part of the “Great Northern Migration.”  In fact, Timothy Stephens, Sr. was so young when he arrived in Cleveland to work at Republic Steel that he was called “The Kid.”

Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. graduated from John Adams High School. He earned a B.S. from Howard University and an M.D. from Howard University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. completed his postgraduate training in Orthopedic Surgery at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1957, he married Consuelo M. Sousa, M.D., whom he met while both were students at Howard.  This was a true “love story” – he “stood” her up on the first date, and she “stood” him up on the second and third dates. Dr. Sousa received an M.P.H. from Harvard University.  For many years she was Chief of Pediatrics at Hough Norwood Healthcare Center in Cleveland. The young couple had three children, Timothy L. Stephens, III (deceased), Susan E. Stephens and Amy L. Stephens. 

Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was immensely proud of his children. Timothy III graduated from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.  Susan graduated from Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.  Today, she is an orthopedic spine surgeon.  Amy graduated from Princeton University and Tufts University School of Medicine, and became an Obstetrician/Gynecologist.   Amy is currently the Chair of OB/GYN at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital.

Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was board certified in orthopedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and specialized in general orthopedics.  Unlike the super sub-specializations of today, Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was an equally gifted surgeon in all sub-specialty areas of orthopedics: trauma, spine, reconstruction, joint replacement, pediatrics, and foot and ankle, which made him a favorite teacher for many residents over the decades.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was appointed to the position of Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Case Western University.  He served as the Director of the Division of Orthopedics at St. Vincent Charity Hospital and Department of Orthopedics at St. Luke’s Hospital during the 1990s.  The Governor of Ohio appointed him to the Ohio State Medical Board in 1984, and Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. served as President in 1988 and 1989.  He later served as the Medical Board’s Chairman of the Quality Intervention Panel.

Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. possessed many rare and unique qualities. He was a pioneer, trailblazer and a true Renaissance man.  He was the first African-American orthopedic surgeon in the State of Ohio.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. founded the first African-American Orthopedic group practice in Ohio, Associates in Orthopedics, Inc.  His wife, Consuelo M. Sousa, M.D., M.P.H., served as practice administrator for many years, including while she obtained her MBA from Case Western Reserve University.  His daughter Susan joined the practice as an orthopedic surgeon in 1991, and together she and her father became the first father/daughter practicing partnership in the country.

Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was an active member and leader in numerous professional societies.  He served as Medical Staff President at Forest City and St. Luke’s Hospitals.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. also served as the Director of the Division of Orthopedics of the National Medical Association. 

Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. received many honors and recognitions.  He received several awards for teaching excellence in orthopedics.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. received many mentorship awards, most significantly from the J. Robert Gladden Orthopedic Society.  He was inducted into the Society of St. Luke, which recognized him as an “outstanding physician and surgeon, teacher, entrepreneur and community leader.”  The Howard Club of Southwest Florida, Inc. presented him with its President’s Leadership and Service Award.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. served as the Club’s President from 2009 to 2013.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. received the Health Legacy Award for Excellence from Health Legacy of Cleveland.  The organization of 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. recognized him as well. 

Separate from his professional activities, Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was a business entrepreneur and actively involved in the greater Cleveland community.  He served on the Greater Cleveland RoundTable and the boards of GLENCO (aMESBIC) and First Bank National Association, the first African-American bank in the State of Ohio. 

Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. enthusiastically supported the arts at Karamu House. Its newly renovated theatre is home to the Timothy L. Stephens, Jr., M.D. and Family Box.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr.  also created an endowed fund at the Cleveland Foundation in memory of his late son Timothy III, which supports African-American students with hearing, speech, and visual disabilities. 

Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was a long-time member of the Tau Boule Chapter of Sigma Pi Phi and was active in the organization’s reading readiness program with the Cleveland Municipal School District.  He was also a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

Involvement was one of Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr.’s mantras.  He was active in politics and worked closely with the late Congressman Louis Stokes on many projects.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was a member of The National Association of Guardsmen, Inc.  Throughout his life, Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. enjoyed traveling around the world with his wife, Connie, and their friends, and also with the Guardsmen.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. enjoyed reading.  He consumed at least three newspapers a day making him the unseated Trivial Pursuit champion of family gatherings.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. and his wife, Connie, retired together in Sarasota, Florida.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was very active throughout his retirement in Sarasota. He was president of the Howard Club of Southwest, Florida. Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was a patron of Sarasota’s West Coast Black Theater Troupe.

Throughout his life, Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. was a great friend, listener, confidant and quiet advisor to many.

Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. passed on April 5, 2021, surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his wife Connie and son Timothy III.  Dr. Timothy L. Stephens, Jr. is survived by his two daughters, Dr. Susan E. Stephens and Dr. Amy L. Stephens; four grandchildren, Timothy D. Holman, II (Graduate of Dartmouth College and First-year Analyst on Wall Street), Consuelo S. Holman (Junior at the University of Southern California), Paige A. Perry (Sophomore at Hathaway Brown), and Brooke V. Perry (8th grade at Hathaway Brown); his two sons-in-law, Ronald D. Holman, II and Robert G. Perry; his sister, Dr. Gloria Smith; his niece, Ursula Phoenix Weir; his nephews, Garrett Smith and Glennard Smith; his sisters-in-law, Carolyn Sousa, Susan Miletello and Rae Sousa; and his cousin, Kaiser Haines.

 

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Timothy L. Stephens, Jr., M.D., please visit our Tree Store.