Michael Jordan Opens Another Free Health Clinic in Native North Carolina
Hall of Fame former Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, a billionaire several times over, continues to give back to the community in a big way.
Per Randy Aldridge of The North Carolina Medical Society, the 14-time All-Star shooting guard is opening up a whopping fourth free healthcare clinic to help give medical access to uninsured and/or generally underserved people in his native North Carolina, via a partnership with Novant Health.
This fourth Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic, at 416 N. 30th St., opened on Feb. 19, in East Wilmington. The facility is slated to be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week. It’s 7,300 square feet and boasts twelve patient rooms.
“It’s truly gratifying to know that in less than a year, our first Novant clinic in Wilmington has already made a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of individuals and families in my hometown,” Jordan reflected in a Novant Health press statement. “Visiting Wilmington last year for the opening of our first clinic was incredibly moving, and it reinforced just how important access to quality health care is for the community.”
Jordan was born in Brooklyn while his father James Jordan was receiving his mechanic’s training on the G.I. Bill.
But the family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina in 1968, and Jordan stayed in the state through college, where he won the 1982 NCAA championship with the North Carolina Blue Devils. He maintains a property in Charlotte and long has owned a stake in the Charlotte Hornets. For Jordan, North Carolina is home.
“We are profoundly grateful to Michael Jordan for his generosity and vision in making these two clinics a reality in our community,” president of the Novan Health Coastal Region Ernie Bovio said. “Thanks to his philanthropic partnership, our Greenfield Street clinic that opened last year served nearly 1,800 patients in its first nine months. Already, our dedicated teams are building strong relationships and advancing vital medical care in our community.”
Jordan first opened up two clinics in Charlotte in 2019 and 2020 with a pair of $7 million grants, per Good News Network. A $10 million gift helped the 6-foot-6 swingman create his two latest clinics in Wilmington.
During one of the most legendary playing careers in history, Jordan won six championships with the Bulls from 1991-98, claiming Finals MVP honors each time. He was an 11-time All-NBA honoree and nine-time All-Defensive Teamer, a five-time league MVP, and the 1988 Defensive Player of the Year.
Jordan was the most prolific scorer in league history.
Across 1,072 career regular season contests, Jordan logged career averages of 30.1 points on .497/.327/.835 shooting splits, and is generally acknowledged to be one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, perhaps the greatest.
His philanthropic efforts may be one of the most powerful ways he can use his influence and riches after his playing career, and we salute the cause.
