Today we’d like to introduce you to Federico Gordon Jr.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
In 2017, one week after Hurricane Irma skirted Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria made direct landfall. This category 5 storm was the strongest to hit the island in over 80 years. It left most of the population without power, limited food, and water including my wife’s family. We hadn’t heard from them and decided to take action. My wife and I led a medical response team in collaboration with Mutual Aid Disaster Relief, local community leaders and churches providing healthcare and support to over 500 people in need of medical attention. My role consisted of operations/logistics, and lab testing during pop up clinic hours and home visits. The experience of connecting and supporting the community in such an intimate fashion inspired me to do more in my community here in Florida.
With over 20 years of lab experience, I knew it was time for a change as I wanted to continue the same feeling of fulfillment that I experienced in Puerto Rico and the idea of concierge laboratory collection was born. I created a website and began contracting phlebotomists that I trusted and connected them to patients needing the service. In speaking to the patients, I realized the need was even greater than I had imagined.
I began to reach out to labs, phlebotomists and physicians offices sharing the vision, benefits and convenience of our services. We now cover Tampa, Sarasota, Ft. Meyers, Orlando, Spring Hill and as far north as the Villages. We plan on covering the entire state by the end of next year.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’m proud to say that we have grown to a team of over 15 compassionate individuals from a team of 3 just a couple of years ago. Obstacles included creating awareness in the community and figuring out how to have our services covered by insurance for those in need.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical providers and various healthcare businesses were shutting down and there was widespread panic and anxiety just as we were starting to grow. We had to pivot. We began to perform COVID-19 collections for patients, businesses and clients in an effort to minimize their risk of infection as well as provide results for those traveling.
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for? What sets you apart from others? What are you most proud brand wise? What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
We perform blood draws & laboratory collections at your location of choice and deliver your samples to the lab for you.
RicoLab Services is a concierge specimen collection enterprise that partners with physicians, independent living facilities, Med Spas laboratories and other corporate and independent businesses throughout Tampa, Spring Hill, Sarasota, the Villages and the Orlando area.
Our service offers convenience to anyone in need of laboratory specimen collection including COVID swabs with proper PPE by avoiding long wait times, as well as provide comfort and ease without having to leave your home or office.
Accommodations for businesses in need of routine specimen collection or COVID swabs for themselves or employees can also be provided safely and efficiently.
Our services are affordable for both insured and self-pay clients at little or no cost. Priority immediate services also available upon request.
If you are need of our services, the process is simple:
- Call-in, fax or email your doctor’s order to us.
- Our office will contact you within 24 hrs to make an appointment.
- Your labs are collected and delivered to one of our lab partners or lab of choice
- Your provider receives results upon completion
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least about our city?
I’ve enjoyed connecting with other business owners and am inspired by the culture of entrepreneurship in the Tampa Bay Area.
I also love living in a state with such a diverse population and strong Latino Heritage. It’s an honor to embrace our state’s diversity by providing bilingual services to our Spanish speaking communities.
Contact Info:
- Email: fax@ricolabservices.com
- Website: https://ricolabservices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricolabservices/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicoLabLLC/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpKGeFa1qI8
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