Philadelphia International Medicine Press Release

Philadelphia, PA,  January 23, 2019 - Philadelphia International Medicine signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Panama Clinic, in Panama City, on Wednesday, January 16th.  The Panama Clinic is scheduled to open its state-of-the-art clinic and medical offices in May 2019 within a multifunctional property located inside the Pacific Center Complex, which will also contain a Marriott Residence Inn, Office Tower, supermarket, theater, gym, restaurants and a picnic area for children. 

The MOU was signed by Edgar Vesga, President and CEO, Philadelphia International Medicine and Theodoro Constantinau, President of the Panama Clinic and Dr. Edwin A. Villalobos, Medical Director, Panama Clinic. Also in attendance were Georgia Athanasopulos, Consul General of Panama in Philadelphia and representatives from the PHL Airport and PHL Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The partnership between PIM and Panama Clinic was brought together by Georgia Athanasopulos, who has been Consul General of Panama in Philadelphia since 1996.  

“Philadelphia International Medicine represents the greatest medical institutions in the Philadelphia area. Panama City is a hub, and many will benefit from the top-level care they can now receive. Before the attention was given to opening of the canal, now Panama City is investing in the medical community. I am excited to be working with Edgar who has vision and moved so quickly,” says Athanasopulos.

“This MOU will allow the Panama Clinic to collaborate with our hospitals and physicians in education and clinical care; particularly in areas of neurology, ophthalmology, cardiology and telemedicine,” says Edgar Antístenes Vesga-Arias, President and Chief Executive Officer, Philadelphia International Medicine.

The Panama Clinic is led by Dr. Edwin Villabos, Medical Director.

“We see Philadelphia International Medicine as a major health gateway for our communities in Panama, providing Access to high level medical technologies and research, “ says Villabos.
 
Some of PIM’s current partnerships include the Mexican Society of Cardiology, Cancer Tec 100 Hospital, San Javier Hospital in Mexico; the Dominican Society of Neurology, Center for Diagnosis and Medical Advancement in Telemedicine and Dominican Society of Hematology and Oncology in Dominican Republic; the Medical Association of Jamaica in Jamaica.
 
About Philadelphia International Medicine Philadelphia International Medicine
Since 1999, healthcare organization, Philadelphia International Medicine (PIM), has been dedicated to connecting international patients, doctors and practitioners with specialized services from world-renowned Philadelphia area hospitals. PIM’s current network of eight (8) hospitals includes Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Hospital, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital as anchor organizations and affiliate healthcare organizations include Wills Eye Hospital, Rothman Institute, the Vincera Institute, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital and the Renfrew Center.

​www.philadelphiamedicine.com
 

By Graziella DiNuzzo, Director of Communications and Development , WTCGP

President, Carlos Gonzalez Jr., walked past the stacks of unwrapped Christmas presents towering in the corner of the conference room, a few floors above the American Cable Company warehouse in Northeast Philadelphia. “I still have to wrap my grandkids presents,” he smiles.

“Welcome to American Cable Company.”

 “None of this would have happened if my dad hadn’t won the lottery to leave Cuba with me, my sister and mom in the late 60’s,” Gonzalez says with outstretched arms pointing to the shelves lined with toy sized John Deere and Caterpillar trucks and cranes.

 “When we got off the plane in Miami, the person greeting us asked my dad where he wanted to go and he said, north. We ended up in Queens New York. I still remember the milk crate on the fire escape we used as a refrigerator and how our laundry would get frozen stiff on the outside clothesline.” 

Six months after arriving in New York, Carlos Sr. accepted a job as a painter, and relocated his family to North Philadelphia. It wasn’t long before Carlos Sr. was supervising 50 people. “He was a leader,” Gonzalez says.

“He worked so hard, had an idea, and made it happen.”

After a day of painting, Carlos Sr. would hand make replacement auto battery terminals– a part sought after by area mechanics.

“I would go around Philly collecting scrap metal.”

“We would melt down the lead from scrap in a homemade 55-gallon drum furnace - in our garage. Back then we piped the exhaust through our home chimney,” laughs Gonzalez. No, we weren’t afraid.”

 “My dad would go door-to-door selling to mechanics from the trunk of his car.”

Carlos Sr. eventually quit his day job and dedicated the rest of his life to growing his idea into a business.

“I was in high school in 1976 when we first started the company,” Gonzalez recalls. “The lead would be dumped into our yard and we would hand lift every bar. Friends and family would help. It was hard, but we did it.”

​Orders were coming in fast.

“Harry” was their first distributor – one of the first in a series of instrumental people who would become like family.  

​“We didn’t have a contract, just a handshake, just our word.”

Quality Control Manager, Daryl Greene recalls, “I remember Carlos Senior’s strength, in character. And physically, he was a strong man. A good man.”

Matthew Tretter, Plant Manager adds, “This is a nice family run company. They treat everyone like family. Carlos Senior would tell us to get it done and get it right.”

In the 1980’s Edgar Huertado saw a man driving a forklift in the parking lot of American Cable’s first warehouse. He asked the man for a job and the man, Carlos Sr., told him to come back the next day – he’s been working with the family for 38 years.

“He was like a father to me,” says Huertado, now an Engineer.

Gonzalez slaps Huertado on the back “And I remember my mom asking what Edgar wanted for lunch.”

Today, American Cable Company, Inc. comprises five manufacturing divisions, which include battery cables, wiring harnesses, assemblies, components, and contract manufacturing. All products are made in America from its 170,000 square foot manufacturing facility located in Northeast Philadelphia, PA. American Cable sells their products to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), defined as manufacturers who resell another company's product under their own name and branding.

American Cable customers also include John Deere, Caterpillar and small to medium sized businesses requiring customized parts.

In 2005, American Cable began to export.

“Approximately 30% of our sales are export,” says Henke de Vos, Global Sales Manager. “We export to the UK, Poland, Germany, India, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, France, Brazil, Italy and most recently, Australia.”

With the support of Dale Foote, World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia International Trade Specialist, American Cable has set up distributors in Italy, Australia, and Poland.

 “Our company is well known for delivery and flexibility and superior engineering support,” adds de Vos.

In addition to its highly skilled, trained staff, American Cable hires and trains through IMPACT Services Corporation, a community organization that helps economically disadvantaged, as well as veterans and ex-prisoners find meaningful employment.

Carlos Gonzalez Jr. has been President of American Cable since 1990. Although retired, Carlos Sr. would start his day at the factory at 5 am every morning.  In 2010, Carlos Sr. celebrated his last birthday, his 82nd - at the warehouse.
“I know what the American dream is – it’s real. If you can make it anywhere, it’s here. I know what it took for my dad to get here,” says Gonzalez.


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​http://www.americancableco.com