SoFi and “Live with Kelly and Ryan” Surprise Healthcare Hero With $100,000 to Pay Down His Student Loan Debt

The year 2020 has been unprecedented as we navigate the global pandemic. At SoFi, we recognize that healthcare workers have been some of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 crisis, putting their lives on the line to care for others. Our commitment to helping frontline healthcare professionals is longstanding and ongoing: to date, we’ve helped almost 150,000 healthcare workers refinance nearly $17 billion in student loan debt.

This summer, we teamed up with “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” to call on viewers to nominate a doctor, nurse, or physician assistant who has made a major difference in their lives or community during the pandemic for a prize of up to $100,000 to pay down their student loan debt.

Entries were judged on many criteria, including originality and the impact the nominees have made during the pandemic. It goes without saying that each and every story submitted was inspiring.

Today, with the help of our friends at “Live with Kelly and Ryan ,” we’re excited to celebrate our Healthcare Hero winner.

Jose Perpignan Jr.: Husband, Father Of Two, and Local Community Hero

Jose Perpignan Jr. has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to his community during the COVID-19 pandemic, noted his nominator. Throughout the early months, New York City was the epicenter of the novel coronavirus. Jose took action for the residents of the Soundview section of the Bronx, assisting them with televisits, up-to-date information, and ensuring that they had the capabilities to navigate their technology. He also supported at-risk seniors: checking in on older residents, tackling their grocery shopping needs, and picking up and delivering their needed medications.

For Jose, it didn’t stop there. Despite his 12-hour nursing shifts, he provided residents with personal protective equipment PPE and health tips (what symptoms to watch out for, proper hygiene, and more). Having previously co-founded the Greater New York City Black Nurses Association (GNYCBNA) in 2017 to provide resources for underserved communities, Jose and other members led virtual town halls to demand healthcare access for underserved communities and PPE for the healthcare workers and providers.

His generosity and energy were seemingly boundless as he took on a virtual speaking opportunity at a summer youth employment program to discuss the nursing profession and the impact that COVID-19 has had on his field. Through the Greater New York City Black Nurses Association, Jose and his colleagues leveraged their experience and understanding of the virus and provided information to various hospitals throughout the country, helping them to stay up-to-date on recommended precautions and procedures.

A dedicated family man, Jose never thought twice about putting his health at risk to serve his patients, his community, and beyond. While we recognize and honor all healthcare workers, we’re proud to congratulate our Healthcare Hero winner, Jose, and thank him for his continued service, sacrifices, and dedication!

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