Michael Jordan Donates $7 Million To Open Clinic Which Will Provide Care For Uninsured Patients

Michael Jordan has opened a $7 million (£5,390,835) clinic that will cover health care for uninsured residents in his hometown of Charlotte.

The former basketball player got emotional and even shed a tear as he opened the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic, which he funded in 2017.

He told the gathered crowd: "This is a very emotional thing for me to be able to give back to a community that has supported me over the years.

Novant Health

"It's ... from the heart...

"I stand here before you as a proud parent, son, obviously a member of this community," he went on to say his family deserve as much credit as him for getting the project off the ground.

He added: "You see my name, but yet you see a lot of people behind me and the commitment, especially from my mom, about caring for other people and being a part of a community that matters."

He donated the $7 million required to open the centre two years ago. His donation covered purchasing the land and building the clinic. Novant Health will operate and run the clinic.

Carl Armato, CEO and president of Novant Health 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."

In a press release Jordan said: "When I heard Novant Health's plan to bring not only primary care, but other needed services to the community, there was no doubt in my mind that this is where I wanted to help make an impact.

"I feel very fortunate to be able to give back in this way, because I believe that your ZIP code or neighbourhood should not determine the quality of your health care - or whether or not you can even get care at all."

The clinic has been running for three weeks and has already treated around 300 people.

Topics: US News

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

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