Grenadians in the Diaspora are paying glowing tributes to illustrious Brooklyn-based surgeon Dr. Roland Purcell, renowned as “the People’s Doctor,” who died suddenly on March 25 in Brooklyn. He was 73.
Cheryl Vincent is a Grenadian-born registered nurse at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and University Hospital in Brooklyn. She was honored along with Dr. Purcell in 2016 for their “extensive” community work at the St. John’s Educators Scholarship Fund Annual Mother’s Day Luncheon. She told Caribbean Life on Sunday, March 29, Dr. Purcell died from a “cardiac issue.”
Vincent is also a founding member and one of the musical directors of Quake USA Cultural Organization. This liturgical folk group is based in Brooklyn, with its origin in Grenada. She said Dr. Purcell, who was born on Sept. 22, 1952, had a private practice at 83 East 38th Street in Brooklyn.
She said Dr. Purcell sat on the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Health Equity Foundation, “advancing health equity in Brooklyn.”
She said Dr. Purcell sat on the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Health Equity Foundation, “advancing health equity in Brooklyn.”
“On Mach. 25, 2026, the Grenadian Caribbean-American community suffered the profound loss of an extraordinary individual, Dr. Roland Purcell,” said Vincent, who, besides being a calypsonian and folklore performer, is a reggae, R&B, Gospel singer/songwriter, and a community organizer, who co-hosted Afterwork Networking Wednesdays with Gerry Hopkin and Edmund Sadio, and participates in community health fairs.
“A distinguished physician, Dr. Purcell, specialized in emergency medicine, critical general surgery, and vascular surgery. He exemplified compassion, dedication, and selfless service,” added Vincent, who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Downstate Hospital. “He was widely revered for his unwavering commitment to his patients. He was never hurried, always attentive, and deeply thorough in his care.”
“His appointments often extended late into the evening. He consistently placed the needs of others above his own,” she continued. “His life’s work was defined by an extraordinary willingness to go beyond the call of duty, whether at the bedside or through his many medical missions.”
For many Grenadians arriving in the United States, Vincent said Dr. Purcell was “more than a physician — he was a trusted first point of contact with a physician, a source of reassurance, and a steadfast advocate.
“He possessed a rare determination and resourcefulness, often described as someone who could ‘move mountains’ to ensure the best possible outcomes for those in his care,” she said.
Vincent said she “had the privilege of witnessing” Dr. Purcell’s “impact firsthand” during her current tenure as a NICU nurse at SUNY Downstate Hospital.
She said that, several years ago, a newborn in Grenada was diagnosed with an omphalocele — a life -threatening congenital abdominal wall defect, requiring highly specialized care, “a service which the NICU in Grenada was unable to provide.”
She said that, several years ago, a newborn in Grenada was diagnosed with an omphalocele — a life -threatening congenital abdominal wall defect, requiring highly specialized care, “a service which the NICU in Grenada was unable to provide.”
“Through Dr. Purcell’s extraordinary advocacy and influence, arrangements were made to airlift the infant from Grenada. The baby was accompanied by a NICU nurse and the mom to the United States and was directly admitted to our NICU,” Vincent said.
“I was on duty that day and had the honor of admitting that baby — an event that remains unparalleled in my 33-plus years at SUNY Downstate, as it was the first and only time we received a neonatal transfer from another country,” she added. “This singular act speaks volumes about Dr. Purcell’s character —his compassion, his determination, and his unwavering commitment to preserving life.
“Because of his efforts, that child is alive and thriving today,” Vincent continued. “And this is but one of countless stories that illustrate the magnitude of his impact.”
Vincent said that, when she and Dr. Purcell were honored in 2016, at the St. John’s Educators Scholarship Fund Annual Mother’s Day Luncheon, it was “a moment of distinct honor and privilege I continue to hold in the highest regard.”
Vincent said that, when she and Dr. Purcell were honored in 2016, at the St. John’s Educators Scholarship Fund Annual Mother’s Day Luncheon, it was “a moment of distinct honor and privilege I continue to hold in the highest regard.”
She said Dr. Purcell leaves behind “an indelible legacy, having touched countless lives through his skill, humanity, and generosity of spirit.
“He was not only an exceptional physician but a truly remarkable human being who gave his all in service to others,” Vincent added. “My deepest condolences extend to his family, loved ones, and the many communities he served. May God grant him eternal rest.”
Hopkin, a former Brooklyn resident, now serving as Grenada’s Consul General to Toronto, said Dr. Purcell will be remembered as “an accomplished Grenadian-Caribbean-American stalwart in healthcare, who never stopped pushing for improvements in the delivery of healthcare in Grenada and in the wider Caribbean.
“He was also an advocate for action that would result in the realization of the benefits of medical tourism in Grenada,” he added. “Further, Dr. Roland Purcell was an outstanding human being, a healer, a philosopher, a sage, and the people’s medical doctor, whose practice encompassed emergency medicine, critical general surgery, and vascular surgery.”
Hopkin revealed that Dr. Purcell was his primary care doctor for “many years – one who successfully performed surgery on me and always gave me helpful medical and other advice.
“Having been a surgical patient of Dr. Purcell, I can readily say that he treated each patient as an individual whose life matters. He cared about making each patient whole in the best ways available,” Hopkin said. “He got to know each patient and their health problem. He treated each one in a manner meant to heal, using the best available practices and by encouraging faith, positive thinking, and a willingness to follow healthy guidelines.”
“Among many things, I would never forget the soothing music (mostly Jazz) he therapeutically played in his office, the many extensive discussions we had on politics, philosophy and history, and the countless times I left his office around midnight, due to his heavy patient-load and his unhurried way of taking care of his patients,” continued Hopkin, disclosing that he was often the last, or one of Dr. Purcell’s last, patients of the day.
“And for me, that was always a privilege, which afforded and yielded meaningful, helpful, enlightening results,” he said. “May the soul of Roland Purcell, MD, rest in peace, as we celebrate his life and emulate his humane, holistic, caring, problem-solving approach to life, which was of benefit to all of his many patients, relatives, friends, and colleagues.”
Vincent said Dr. Purcell was a board-certified vascular surgeon in Brooklyn with over 45 years of experience, specializing in vascular, general, and critical care surgery.
She said he was affiliated with multiple hospitals, including Interfaith Medical Center, Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, and SUNY Downstate Medical Center and University Hospital of Brooklyn.
She said he was affiliated with multiple hospitals, including Interfaith Medical Center, Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, and SUNY Downstate Medical Center and University Hospital of Brooklyn.
Vincent said Dr. Purcell was renowned for his expertise in the management of vascular surgical disorders.
She also said Dr. Purcell was an active member and fellow of several professional organizations, including the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Society for Clinical and Vascular Surgery, and the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and was “highly regarded by patients.”
She also said Dr. Purcell was an active member and fellow of several professional organizations, including the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Society for Clinical and Vascular Surgery, and the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and was “highly regarded by patients.”
Vincent said Dr. Purcell was born in Curaçao, in the Netherlands Antilles, of Grenadian parentage.
The oldest of six children, he spent the first seven years of his life in Curaçao before migrating to Grenada, Vincent said.
The oldest of six children, he spent the first seven years of his life in Curaçao before migrating to Grenada, Vincent said.
She said Dr. Purcell attended Grenada Boys Secondary School (GBSS), where he completed his high school education, then studied medicine at the University of the West Indies (formerly the University College of London), at the Mona Campus in Jamaica.
Vincent said that, after graduating from the University of the West Indies, Dr. Purcell completed his internship at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital in Trinidad and Tobago.
Afterwards, he returned to Grenada to work as a medical officer at the General Hospital in St. George’s, Vincent said.
After completing his general surgery residency at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn, Vincent said Dr. Purcell completed a vascular surgery fellowship at the Texas Heart Institute.
After completing his general surgery residency at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn, Vincent said Dr. Purcell completed a vascular surgery fellowship at the Texas Heart Institute.
He then returned to Interfaith Medical Center, where he served in the Department of Surgery, “with deep commitment and dedication and a love for patient care,” Vincent said.
She said Dr. Purcell also served two terms as president of the medical staff at Interfaith Medical Center.
Dr. Purcell’s body will be viewed on Friday, April 10, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Guarino Funeral Home, 9222 Flatlands Ave., Brooklyn.
Reflection and Service will take place at the same venue and on the same date from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by a repass at American Legion Hall, 1130 East 92nd Street, Brooklyn.
Reflection and Service will take place at the same venue and on the same date from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by a repass at American Legion Hall, 1130 East 92nd Street, Brooklyn.
The funeral takes place on Saturday, April 11, at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 9719 Flatlands Ave., Brooklyn.
