Yvette Fletcher's Lifelong Commitment to Healing and Empowerment

The first ring on the phone barely ends before a warm, reassuring voice greets me—Yvette Fletcher, owner and primary physician at Medix Urgent Care and Family Health Center. It’s a quick reminder that Fletcher’s life, both professionally and personally, is a constant whirlwind. With two clinics—one in Lauderhill, Florida, and the other in Wilton Manors, Florida—she juggles a demanding schedule that spans from stitching sutures and performing physicals, to overseeing a full range of medical services. But, Fletcher takes it all in stride, quick to remind me that multitasking is simply part of her DNA.

“I could be called to either clinic or even a home visit at any moment,” she says, her voice never wavering. “I’m used to it.” And with over 40 years in healthcare, it’s no wonder she’s unshaken by the chaos of it all.

Despite her immense experience and success, Fletcher is not one to rest on her laurels. Though she insists she’s “winding down,” her actions tell a different story. Every year, she joins the Hope for Humanity group, embarking on medical missions to underserved areas of the world. From Haiti and Panama, to her native Jamaica, Fletcher and the team work tirelessly to provide medical care where resources are limited.

“People think it’s fun… it’s not,” Fletcher says, with a characteristic deadpan. These missions are intense—days filled with back-to-back patient consultations, working through exhaustion, and often with limited resources. But despite the draining nature of the work, Fletcher shows no signs of slowing down. “Until I die, or until I can’t travel anymore, I intend to keep going.”

A Lifelong Calling

For Fletcher, caregiving was always more than a job—it was a calling. Growing up in Jamaica, she became her great-grandmother’s primary caretaker at just nine years old. Balancing school with this responsibility, she quickly realized that nursing was not just an interest, but her true purpose. “I knew at that age, nursing was my calling,” she recalls.

But, the path to actualizing that calling was not without its hurdles. After high school, Fletcher set her sights on England for further education, only to be turned away by every institution. Briefly considering joining the Jamaican Defense Force, she was guided by her mother to instead attend the West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University), where she earned both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Resident Nursing Degree.

Fletcher immersed herself in the challenges of the local healthcare system. Her first job at Cornwall Regional Hospital was grueling—working the night shift with only one assistant nurse to care for more than 50 patients. Yet, it was here that she honed her resilience. “The nurse didn’t talk to me the whole night,” she laughs, recalling the early days. “Not even a ‘good morning.’”

After a year at Cornwall Regional, Fletcher’s career took her to various other clinics, including a stint at the National Chest Hospital and a role at an STD clinic, where she had some very real encounters with danger. “I worked in some tough areas, where gunmen were a real concern,” she reflects. Yet, despite these challenges, Fletcher’s passion for her work never wavered.

From Jamaica to the U.S.: A New Beginning

Fletcher’s journey eventually took her to the United States, a move that would mark a pivotal moment in her life and career. After spending some time living with a friend, Fletcher faced the daunting reality of redoing her nursing certification. With determination, she enrolled at the University of Miami, where she completed her Nurse Practitioner degree and Master of Science in Nursing in 1997.

The transition was not easy—Fletcher juggled full-time work with full-time schooling, often commuting long distances while balancing family obligations. But it was during this time that she began to see the opportunity to build something of her own. “I’ve never been one to sit under administration,” she shares. “I always considered myself a maverick.”

Her time in the U.S. Virgin Islands further solidified her vision. After managing a labor and delivery unit, Fletcher began to explore the idea of opening her own clinic. In 2009, that idea became a reality. Losing her job was the catalyst she needed, and Fletcher opened her first Medix Urgent Care and Family Health Center. It was a bold move that would mark the beginning of a new chapter in her already storied career.

Medix Urgent Care: A Legacy of Service

Medix Urgent Care, which now operates two locations, quickly became a hub for accessible and compassionate healthcare in the South Florida area. The clinic offers a wide range of services, from physical exams and EKGs to vaccinations and IV treatments. Fletcher’s hands-on approach ensures that patients receive the best care possible—whether that’s drawing labs, stitching wounds, or overseeing physicals.

But, her work doesn’t stop there. Fletcher has been deeply involved in various health initiatives, including medical missions abroad, where she continues to provide care in regions with limited resources. She’s also committed to supporting underserved communities within South Florida.

“It’s not about just running a clinic,” Fletcher emphasizes. “It’s about serving my community and doing everything I can to make a difference in people’s lives.”

A Vision for the Future

Even though Fletcher claims to be winding down, the future is still full of possibilities.

Her roots in Jamaica still pull at her heartstrings. “I’d love to open a clinic back home,” she says, with a twinkle in her eye. “I’m just waiting for the right time.”

In the meantime, Fletcher’s work continues to make a lasting impact. Whether caring for her patients or tending to her elderly mother, she remains deeply committed to her purpose. “Do you know anyone on the Jamaican medical board?” she jokes, still focused on ways to improve healthcare access and quality in her home country.

As we wrap up the conversation, Fletcher, ever the caregiver, casually mentions her mother, who has Alzheimer’s. “If I have to go, she’s coming with me,” she says, her dedication to her family as clear as her devotion to her patients.

Yvette Fletcher’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to service. Her career may have spanned continents and countless roles, but her mission has always remained the same: to care for others, wherever she is needed most.