Maybe the old adage is true, people really should want to be like Mike!
NBA Superstar Michael Jordan just unveiled the first of two medical clinics he’s opening in Charlotte, North Carolina, CNN reports.
Jordan was present this past week at the opening of the new Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic in Charlotte. The clinic is one of two that will be opening after the six time NBA champion donated $7 million to Novant Health back in 2017. The clinic will serve Charlotte residents who are uninsured or underinsured, offering “primary and preventative care as well as behavioral health and social support services.”
Jordan got choked up during the ceremony saying “As you can see, it’s a very emotional thing for me to be able to give back to a community that’s supported me over the years.”
The clinic is located in an underserved part of the community and serves as a healthcare hub for residents. The facility was designed with the needs of the community in mind. Meetings and forums were held, giving residents an opportunity to let Novant Health know what they felt was a priority for them. According to Census Bureau data, some 100,000 Charlotte residents don’t have health insurance and of those, most impacted are children who come from single parent homes in under resourced neighborhoods, Charlotte Stories reports.The new medical facilities hope to help change that.
In a statement, Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Hornets said, “I believe that your ZIP code or neighborhood should not determine the quality of your health care — or whether or not you can even get care at all.”
Carl Armato, CEO and president of Novant Health said, “This clinic will not only provide access to medical care for those who need it most, but it will connect them to resources to ensure their health extends beyond the doctor’s office.”
The new facility is outfitted with 12 exam rooms, an X-ray room, and a physical therapy facility. There is also a full time social worker on staff.
Armato said, “We are thankful to Michael for his generosity. The gift will remove barriers to high quality health care in some of the most vulnerable communities.”
Jordan continues to raise the bar for giving back, recently donating $1 million to hurricane relief efforts in the Bahamas. He spoke during the ceremony, saying that “the money doesn’t matter… this is just the start of a battle of being able to touch as many as we can… its the commitment to be able to make a difference and make an impact.”
The Novant Health Michael Jordan Clinics aim to provide services to 35,000 children and adults within the first 5 years. The new facility is located at 3149 Freedom Drive in Charlotte, NC.
Thank you Michael Jordan for all that you do. Because of you, we can!
Photo Courtesy of Novant Health/Twitter