Jerry J.K. Tillery Joins NKF as SVP of Field Development and Community Impact
~ Experienced Non-Profit Leader joins the fight against kidney disease ~
(Feb. 9, New York, NY) – The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jerry J.K. Tillery, MBA, MHA, FACHE, as the Senior Vice President of Field Development and Community Impact. With over 25 years of experience in non-profit healthcare leadership, Jerry brings a wealth of expertise in operations, finance, business development, community outreach, sales, marketing, fundraising, and patient/customer service.
Prior to joining NKF, Jerry was the Chief Impact Officer for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance where he had direct responsibility for all mission delivery work including marketing and communications, technology, data intelligence, and financial operations of the nearly $21 million organization.
“Jerry is passionate about instilling a shared sense of purpose, empowering individuals, and creating high-performing teams," said Kevin Longino, NKF Chief Executive Officer and a kidney transplant recipient. “He comes to us with a proven track record of success in leading multi-site field operations teams, managing diverse lines of service, and overseeing cross-functional projects within highly matrixed environments. We are confident that his leadership and commitment to healthcare excellence will further strengthen NKF’s impact on key kidney health initiatives and community development.”
Jerry earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Georgia and holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Health Administration from Georgia State University. He is also recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Before joining the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Jerry dedicated almost a decade to the American Red Cross, where he held various roles within the Biomedical Services Division. Those roles included Division Vice President, Chief Recruitment (Sales) Executive, Chief Collections (Operations) Executive, and Regional Chief Executive Officer. Jerry's impactful contributions played a crucial role in the division's responsibility for blood product collection and distribution across the United States.
Jerry’s extensive healthcare background includes serving as Vice President of Operations at Wellstar Health System in metro Atlanta and marketing and strategic planning roles at Emory Healthcare.
“I’m so excited to work for an organization that is committed to providing equal access to quality kidney care for everyone,” said Mr. Tillery. “In my past experience in hospital administration, I saw first-hand the challenges faced and treatments received for patients with kidney disease, many of whom lacked the information or network of support needed to help them navigate their treatment. I look forward to supporting NKF’s dynamic field services teams as they focus on mission delivery and expand our impact.”
In the United States, more than 37 million adults are estimated to have kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD)—and approximately 90 percent don’t know they have it. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are at risk for kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. Black or African American people are about four times as likely as White people to have kidney failure. Hispanics experience kidney failure at about double the rate of White people.
About the National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. For more information about kidney disease, please visit www.kidney.org/
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