Wanting to do "something good for others everyday" is what drove Colin Chesley to go into health care administration. Today he finds himself fulfilling that desire as the new administrator of Glen Oaks Convalescent Center.

Chesley assumed the helm at Glen Oaks in mid-May, and is thrilled to be undertaking this new role. He had served for a year in the Administrator-In-Training program at Manchester Health Care Center in Manchester, and worked as the assistant administrator at Imperial Manor Convalescent Center in Madison before coming to Shelbyville.

Chesley and his family live in Lebanon, but they plan to relocate to Bedford County soon.

"I plan to be here long-term," Chesley said. "The staff and residents need someone who can carry the torch for them. I'm anxious to serve. I'm here to serve the residents, the staff, and the community. Anyone that is in any kind of leadership position is to be a servant.

"I feel that we should be anxiously engaged in doing good. The opportunity for me to do that on a daily basis is great, and to get compensated for it is wonderful."

Chesley first became interested in working in a nursing home as a Boy Scout. He did a service project for scouting at a health care center where his mentor, Kerry Dawson, was the administrator. Dawson was Chesley's youth leader at church and also his Boy Scout leader, and Dawson encouraged him to pursue a career in health care.

Chesley enrolled in the nursing program at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, but he couldn't get past his fear of needles; so he switched his major to health administration. He found a good program offering his choice of major at the University of Phoenix in Arizona and transferred there. He worked as an enrollment counselor at the university and was able to go to school free. When he graduated from college he returned to Tennessee.

"I plan on working as a team with the director of nursing, Shelia Cantrell, for years to come here at Glen Oaks," Chesley said. "I can't underestimate the need for teamwork, and I believe that Shelia and I will be a good team."

Cantrell feels the same way about Chesley.

"We're glad to have Colin here," Cantrell said. "It's an exciting time for Glen Oaks and our community. He's already brought some new life to our facility and we really need it. I'm excited to work with him."

Chesley wants to see Glen Oaks build up its short-term rehabilitation program.

"We want to work closely with the new hospital and be an asset to them," Chesley said. "We want to provide rehabilitation services for their patients. We plan on being a big part of the community and want to be a resource for the area. Glen Oaks has been like a V-8 engine running on two cylinders, and we need to fire up the other six."

Glen Oaks Convalescent Center is owned by Vanguard Healthcare Services in Brentwood. The company's mission statement is one that Chesley holds strongly to and has placed prominently on the walls in his office. It states, "Our mission is to provide dignity in life for those we serve. We are committed to our foundational values of life, growth, excellence, integrity, and stewardship."

Chesley lives by the principles of that mission statement. He is a dedicated Christian, and considers himself a "very happily married man." He and his wife, Austin, have two boys and another one on the way.

"I'm a Boy Scout leader in Lebanon right now," Chesley said. "I'm an Eagle Scout, and have been involved in scouting all my life. I hope to continue to be active in scouting once we get moved here to Shelbyville."