LAUDERDALE LAKES – It was a day of giving back for South Florida entrepreneur Princeton Jean-Glaude, founder and CEO of Primary Medical Care Center & Urgent Care Clinic, who teamed up with Lauderdale Lakes city officials to lend a helping hand to families in need as the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.
Dealing with the unforeseen challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on people across the world. The pandemic caused the largest global recession in history. Indeed, millions of workers have lost their jobs in the US, and vulnerable ones have been hit hardest amidst the lockdown.
As a result of this unprecedented unemployment, a growing number of Americans are facing hunger because they lost their jobs. Not having a choice, millions of them are getting help from food banks for the first time. For generous people, Coronavirus is the perfect moment to help communities in need.
As one of the very rare Haitian entrepreneurs in South Florida who has built a giving back culture into the fabric of his companies, Princeton Jean-Glaude has partnered with the council members of the City of Lauderdale Lakes to support residents facing economic hardship and food insecurity in the Broward County region.
The medical clinic has been delivering food to its Miami-Dade County patients at their doors every week since the pandemic began. In addition, a Drive-Thru Food Distribution was held Tuesday morning (June 2nd) at Primary Medical Care Center & Urgent Care Clinic’s location [2412 N State Road 7 Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313], and was open to the public while supplies lasted. Recipients arrived in their vehicles as no walk-ups were allowed. At the north entrance of the clinic’s building, cars lined up seeking a meal.
The distribution began around 9:30 a.m. and lasted until 1:00 p.m. Nearly 650 bags of food [rice, beans, spaghetti, oil, sardines, etc.) were distributed to struggling families in the area who may have lost jobs due to the pandemic, thanks to Primary Medical Clinic.
Lauderdale Lakes Mayor Hazelle P. Rogers, Vice-Mayor Veronica Edwards Phillips and the other three Commisioners women were joined by several PMCC & UCC employees as they helped with the distribution process by placing grocery items into the trunks of vehicles as they drove by. They five all-female members of the city took the opportunity to talk to the recipients about the importance of taking part at the 2020 US Census. At least two representatives from PHAMCo Pharmacy, one the companies that sponsored the event, were also engaged in the Drive-Thru Food Distribution.
“There is no way I would miss being at this event in person,” said Mayor Hazelle P. Rogers, “because we truly love our corporate partners, bringing businesses to help out our community. We can only say thank you to Primary Care. Since the day they came to Lauderdale Lakes, they have been participating at every single thing we are doing in the city. We are just so very thankful this morning.”
“Lauderdale Lakes is this: working people that now have a huge need, and it is our duty as elected officials to try to help those people,” said Vice-Mayor Veronica Edwards Phillips.
“I don’t know what types of foods are in the bag they placed in my trunk yet,” said a smiling male recipient. “Whether it’s rice, spaghetti, vegetables, whatever it is, it’s something that I didn’t have. No money in the house. I have four children, and I haven’t been working for a month and a half. It’s very, very good help.”
One young woman picking up food said, “The kids have been home from school for weeks, so there’s more food that they are eating now. It’s a little rough, you know, with the hours being cut. I’m glad about what they’re doing because there are a lot of people in need. God bless them.”
There is no doubt that giving back is part of Jean Glaude’s DNA. This is a culture he developed from his late parents who were always ready to assist whomever was in need as they could help.
“COVID-19 has not only challenged our healthcare system, it has impacted many residents’ ability to put food on the table,” said the founder of Primary Medical Care Center & Urgent Care Clinic. “When you look at those unemployment numbers, what that tells you is there are people who are used to bringing in money who aren’t bringing in money.”
“I am deeply grateful to the council members of the city of Lauderdale Lakes, our staff, volunteers, and all those stepping up to meet our residents’ needs during this pandemic,” Jean-Glaude added. “You know, we’re very happy that not only we can help, but we also have business partners like Pharmco Pharmacy that are coming out to help us as well. I always believe that sharing with people and giving back to communities is an investment. Sincerely as a Christian, I also believe that when you give you never lose it; you will always be getting it back. To me, if you want to invest, the best investment you could do is giving back to the communities. At Primary, we stand on that and we will continue to do it.”
It has already been three years since Primary Medical Care Center & Urgent Care Clinic, one of the leading medical centers in South Florida offering genuine patient-centered care for non-life-threatening medical problems, opened its Lauderdale Lakes’ branch. The move came four years after the opening of its first branch in Miami in response to growing business and increasing demand for health care needs in the region.
Having reliable medical care is a blessing and Primary Medical Care Center & Urgent Care Clinic is a light throughout the region for those who long to care for their health and who need the best support, service, and counsel available. And more importantly, its founder believes in giving back to the community, which is, as he loves to say, ‘an incredibly rewarding, and life-changing experience.’
During times of need such as this one, it’s a wonderful blessing to have an example of true love, dedication, and devotion to fellow citizens and one’s community. Princeton Jean-Glaude is a pillar of our community and Primary Care a beacon of hope for many reasons in difficult times.
Dessalines Ferdinand
ferdinand@lefloridien.com