(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)The accomplishments for Michael Jordan are endless when it comes to his play on the basketball court. From 6-time NBA champion, 6-time NBA Finals MVP, 5-time NBA Most Valuable Player, 14-time NBA All-Star, 3-time NBA All-Star Game MVP
NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 10-time NBA scoring champion, the list goes on and on.
But now, the NBA legend is donating $10 million to open two new medical clinics in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina.
The clinics, slated to open in 2022, will serve the uninsured or underinsured residents of New Hanover County, according to a news release from Novant Health, a regional health care system.
“Everyone should have access to quality health care, no matter where they live, or whether or not they have insurance.” Jordan said in a statement. “Wilmington holds a special place in my heart and it’s truly gratifying to be able to give back to the community that supported me throughout my life.”
This is not the first time Jordan, who owns the Charlotte Hornets, has stepped up to help his community.
He was instrumental in opening the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic back in 2019.
An emotional Jordan unveiled the first of two medical clinics he and his family funded in Charlotte, N.C., that will provide care to underprivileged members of the community.
The NBA Hall-of-famer and Hornets owner was on hand for the grand opening of the $7 million Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic. Associated Press’ Steve Reed reported that Jordan teared up when talking about the new $7 million family medical clinic project and said “this is just the beginning.”
“This is a very emotional thing for me to be able to give back to a community that has supported me over the years,” he continued.
The clinic, located in a lower-income section of the city, will provide vital access to primary and preventive care to individuals in the community, including those who are uninsured or underinsured.
The 6,800-square-foot facility is equipped with 12 exam rooms, an X-ray room and a physical therapy space. In addition, a full-time social worker is on staff to provide social support services to patients.
Citizens will have access to social works, oral health practitioners, physical therapists and behavioral health experts in addition to primary health care services at the new clinic.
It will provide care to at least 35,000 adults and children over the next five years.
“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,” said Jordan in a statement.
Jordan vowed to do more, saying “I can only do this in gratitude… I can never repay what you’ve actually given to me, but this is a start of a battle of being able to touch as many people as we can.”
In 2017, Jordan announced that he was giving $7 million to make the facility a possibility. Jordan continued to donate more and more in recent years, including giving a $1 million donation to help relief efforts in the Bahamas due to the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.
“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,” said Carl Armato, CEO and president of Novant Health.
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