News 12 is highlighting the special contributions of members of our community this Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Dr. Joy Carlos Wong was born in Mexico to Chinese-Mexican parents and immigrated to the U.S. when he was 9 years old.

He started working for McDonald’s when he was 15. Now at age 66, Wong owns five McDonald’s restaurants in Poughkeepsie, Mohegan Lake, Peekskill, Dover, Plains and Mahopac.

News 12 talked to Wong Wednesday about his success and his message to the community.

“I looked at everything with persistence and dedication and to succeed," said Wong. "That’s always been my case. So, I take pride and I try to relay that to my employees, that anything you want to do you can do it. Just set your mind to it.”

Wong says he is dedicated to providing career opportunities to members of the community and often donates to local hospitals, schools and churches. 

He is also a licensed physician and provides medical assistance to underprivileged patients when he visits Mexico.