Healthcare hero: Jose Perpignan makes a difference in his community

When the coronavirus first struck his hometown, New York City native Jose Perpignan Jr. ’11 manned the frontlines as a registered nurse.

His duties, however, weren’t limited to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital’s cardiothoracic intensive care unit, where he works in the ICU float pool during normal times. A co-founder of the Greater New York City Black Nurses Association, the Binghamton University alumnus sought to prevent his own Bronx neighborhood from catching the virus.

In addition to his 12-hour nursing shifts, he picked up seniors’ prescriptions and groceries, and provided personal protective equipment (PPE) and health tips. As the pandemic’s first wave began to abate, he and the association held virtual town halls with healthcare providers in Texas, helping them prepare for future outbreaks.

His dedication and commitment recently led to an unexpected Zoom call from the nationally syndicated television talk show LIVE with Kelly and Ryan. He learned on air that he had won LIVE’s Healthcare Hero 100k Giveaway — erasing $100,000 in student debt.

“I still feel like I was in a dream. It was what I prayed and hoped for, that sort of relief,” he said.

‘Set the tone’

Born and raised in a 39-story building in Brooklyn, Perpignan decided on a career in caring in the first grade, when his father, an emergency medical technician, brought an ambulance to the school’s career day. In high school, his interests shifted somewhat; he loves dogs, and considered becoming a veterinarian.

His teachers encouraged him to aim high, and he was thrilled to be accepted by his dream school: Binghamton University.

“I’m the oldest of 10, so I had to set the tone,” said Perpignan, the first in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree. “This has to be normal.”

After shadowing a few physicians in college, he realized his true calling: to become a nurse, interacting closely with patients and their families. But early on, he faced some setbacks. Unable to get into the Decker College of Nursing, he completed his bachelor of arts degree in Africana Studies instead.

“Everything happens for a reason,” he reflected.

At Binghamton, he was part of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). He found inspiration through dedicated instructors such as Professor Leo Wilton, and gained a deep understanding of Black history in both the United States and around the world.

He had a well-rounded experience outside the classroom, too. Perpignan served as a resident assistant for the Dickinson Community and became an EMT with Harpur’s Ferry. He joined the Kappa Nu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which helped him develop confidence and build important lifelong friendships.

After graduation, he spent several years working as a patient care technician before heading to the University of Rochester to complete a bachelor of science in nursing.

Considering Perpignan’s emphasis on physical and mental wellness, EOP Director Karima Legette isn’t surprised that he found his way to nursing. His Binghamton experience as an EMT and resident assistant reflected that same commitment, she said.

Legette first met Perpignan during the first Binghamton Enrichment Program she coordinated in 2007. A “fun and shining light,” he was always smiling, checking in on his peers and prioritizing the program’s social responsibility aspect, she remembered.

“Jose truly embodies the phrase ‘find a way or make one,’ and that innovation and creativity is clearly what allowed him to envision his future as a nurse,” said Legette. “This (Healthcare Hero) prize is a beautiful lining for someone who carries care at his core, whether in practice at the bedside, in the classroom, as an advocate, in research or in service. His example is one that we share with our students all of the time.”

COVID and community

The pandemic brought a complete halt to organ donations, which curtailed Perpignan’s full-time job at LiveOnNY, an organ transplant organization. He continued to work full-time, however, by picking up shifts in NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital’s cardiothoracic intensive care unit.

New York City hospitals during the height of the pandemic were “a war zone,” Perpignan said. The press of incoming cases was immense, with patients doubling up in the rooms. Many died alone, their family members unable to visit in their final days due to the highly contagious nature of the virus. Nurses themselves fell ill and some died.

“You took on so much trauma emotionally. You’re watching patients die left and right. If someone survived, it was a huge celebration,” he remembered.

Adding to the ordeal: Perpignan had to undergo quarantine away from his family. While working their hospital shifts, nurses stayed in hotel rooms; after their last shift, they stayed at the hotel for another 10 to 14 days before returning home. Perpignan’s wife and children understood the need for that time away, and stayed in touch through Facetime and video chats.

“I’m trying to be an example for my kids. I told them that there’s a gift you may have and there are people out there who need you, so sometimes you need to make sacrifices,” he said.

As a healthcare provider, Perpignan was deeply aware of the risks his elderly neighbors faced from the coronavirus. The Greater New York City Black Nurses Association teamed up with elected officials in the boroughs to address the needs of underserved communities.

In the Bronx, they arranged food deliveries, but members such as Perpignan also went to the store and pharmacy personally for their neighbors. When he moved into the 19-story building in his wife’s neighborhood, he made sure to forge meaningful relationships with fellow residents, many of whom had lived there since the 1970s.

“It was a tough time, but we made it work. There was a lot of positivity and a lot of community,” he said.

Community is the heart of both Perpignan’s work, and that of the Greater New York City Black Nurses Association, which provides resources to underserved communities. Many Black and brown communities don’t have access to adequate medical services, and may be unfamiliar or distrustful of the healthcare environment.

“Growing up, I don’t remember our family having a primary care provider or regular checkups; the emergency room was our checkup,” Perpignan explained.

The association brings health programs to inner-city schools, along with books, school supplies, toys and coats. Members also address issues pertinent to the community, such as Black maternal health; Black women, regardless of income or education, are three to four times more likely to die from complications related to birth, Perpignan explained. They also train neighborhoods in the use of Narcan, an opioid antagonist that stops overdoses, and pitch in at community events.

Paying it forward is a theme for Perpignan, and he offers some advice for people of any age who may face discouraging circumstances.

“Embrace the pain and the obstacles and the uncertainty. Always set goals for yourself,” he advised. “Embrace it, study it and build from it. Find ways to connect with other people and pay it back.”