Michael Jordan, the NBA legend and Charlotte Hornets’ owner, recently opened the Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic which provides care for underprivileged and uninsured patients.
The clinic which is settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, opened its doors two years after Jordan pledged to donate $7 million to open two medical facilities.
The location of the clinic was not set by chance as Jordan wanted to benefit the hometown he was born in and give back to the place that helped shaped him.
In his emotional opening speech, Jordan shared:
“This is a very emotional thing for me to be able to give back to a community that has supported me over the years.”
The new clinic, which is located in the lower-income part of the city, will benefit underprivileged and uninsured people who need help in the area.
According to a Harvard University/UC Berkeley assessment in 2014, Charlotte was ranked 50th out of 50 in economic mobility for children born into poverty.
“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 Michael Jordan.
In total, the clinic has 12 patient exam rooms, an X-ray room, as well as a space for physical therapy. And apart from taking care of the patients’ health, the clinic will have a social worker and will be run by Novant Health.
Carl Armato, Novant Health’s CEO, said in a statement:
“At Novant Health, we are deeply committed to caring for patients beyond our walls. 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. We are so grateful for Michael Jordan’s continued partnership and generous gift, which will transform thousands of lives in the west Charlotte community.”