Michael Jordan attended the opening of his family’s third medical clinic in North Carolina on Tuesday alongside his mother Deloris.
Jordan, 61, has teamed up with healthcare company Novant Health to launch the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic on Greenfield Street, Wilmington, which will offer medical services to those who are either uninsured or underinsured.
The basketball great, who already owns two other clinics over in Charlotte, made a stunning $10million donation to get all three medical centers up and running in his hometown.
Earlier this week he celebrates the grand opening of the third of those clinics with mom Deloris, outlining his plan to bring ‘much-needed comprehensive primary care services’ to the people of Wilmington.
‘Everyone is worthy of access to quality health care, no matter where you live or if you have insurance,’ Jordan said in a release, via People, before adding that he is ‘truly inspired by the many powerful stories of people who are now thriving thanks to the support of our Charlotte medical clinics.’
The Chicago Bulls icon believes the new center will ‘positively impact individuals and families throughout Wilmington’ and that he is ‘profoundly grateful to help make this day happen for my hometown.’
Jordan, who is worth an estimated $3.2billion, cut a purple ribbon alongside his mom at Tuesday’s event to officially launch the family’s third medical clinic in North Carolina.
The pair also took to a podium to say a few words to the attendees on the day, while MJ could be seen speaking with Dr. Michael Hoben inside the lobby.
Many of the patients who visit Jordan’s clinics are said to have ‘never had a primary care provider before’ and are thankful to its medical professionals for ‘helping restore health and a sense of hope’.
The latest center will include 12 patient rooms and be supported by a primary care team along with a community health worker to assist patients, according to the release.
Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, before his family relocated to Wilmington when he was a young boy.
It was in North Carolina where the future six-time NBA champion would showcase his early potential at college, before he was selected by Chicago with the third overall pick at the 1984 Draft.
Nine years later, Jordan suffered a devastating personal tragedy when his father, James R. Jordan Sr, was shot and killed in Lumberton after pulling over in a parking lot to sleep in his car, before two men later charged with the murder got away with his vehicle.
Supporting North Carolina has always been of importance to Michael, who previously owned a stake in Charlotte’s NBA team, the Hornets, before selling his majority stake for $3billion last year.
Jordan also recently saw plans for a Wilmington museum in his honor – as part of a broader investment into the downtown area called ‘Project Grace’ – fall through after the family decided not to pursue the project.