Michael Jordan donates $10 million to support healthcare efforts
February 19, 2021
Basketball legend Michael Jordan, who celebrated his birthday this week, is donating $10 million to open two new medical clinics in underserved communities near his hometown in North Carolina. In partnership with Novant Health, the clinics will bring much needed healthcare and treatment to the area's most vulnerable communities, improving affordable access to care.
The regional healthcare system and Jordan have previously partnered to open two Michael Jordan Family Clinics in Charlotte, N.C., bringing comprehensive primary care, including behavioral health and social support services. The clinics have seen more than 4500 patients and administered nearly 1,000 COVID-19 vaccines.
The gift will help Novant Health bring its integrated care model to more rural communities in North Carolina, offering services to those who are uninsured or underinsured. The clinics are scheduled to open early next year.
"Everyone should have access to quality health care, no matter where they live, or whether or not they have insurance," said Jordan. "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."
More than 46 million Americans, or 15% of the population, live in rural areas. They face inequities that result in worse health care than that of urban and suburban residents, with disparities deeply rooted in economic, social, racial, ethnic, geographic and health workforce factors.
"This pandemic has exacerbated health equity gaps across our state, making our efforts to close them even more emergent. We look forward to standing these clinics up as quickly as possible to ensure all members of the community have access to necessary medical care," said Carl Armato, president and CEO of Novant Health.
This marks the second large charitable donation that Jordan has given for healthcare in the last two years, previously donating $7 million. He revealed last year that his company, Jordan Brand, would donate $100 million over the next 10 years for racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.