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Michael Jordan Sheds Tears At Opening Of His Clinic In Hometown Of Wilmington

Originally posted on Fadeaway World | By Gautam Varier | Last updated 5/10/24

Michael Jordan attended the opening of the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic on Greenfield St. in Wilmington, North Carolina, on May 7. Jordan also spoke to the crowd gathered at the site and shed some tears while addressing them.

"It's good to be home, first and foremost," Jordan said. "That's what this clinic is about, when the families are not able to support, we're there to support. Doesn't have any money, doesn't matter, we're going to do whatever we can to support you because that's what happened to me. That's where I got it from.

"So, we did it in Charlotte and now we're going to do it here in Wilmington," Jordan continued. "Which makes it even more special because this is where I came from and no matter how you see Michael Jordan, this is where I started, this is where I'm always going to be a part of."

With Jordan was his mother Deloris, and the two along with some other dignitaries cut the ribbon to open the facility officially on Tuesday. As per Novant Health, the clinic has been strategically built across from the Houston Moore neighborhood, as it is seen as an underserved one with a need for health care.

It has 12 patient rooms with some of the services on offer being health screenings, preventative care, and behavioral health support. The doors to the clinic are open to even those without medical insurance and who have never had a primary care provider before.

Back in 2021, Jordan made a $10 million donation to Novant Health Foundation to open two clinics in his hometown of Wilmington. Work has now begun on the second site, which is close to the Creekwood South community on Princess Place Drive. The goal is very clear, to bring comprehensive primary care to the most vulnerable communities.

Jordan's family had moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Wilmington in 1968 when he was five years old. It was there that he took the first big steps in his basketball career, starring at Emsley A. Laney High School. The 61-year-old has a lot of love for his hometown and it's great to see him take such initiatives.

Before plans were put in place for these clinics in Wilmington, two were opened in Charlotte in 2019, on the North End and on Freedom Drive. Jordan was visibly emotional back then as well.

In the first two years of operation, the clinics served more than 4,500 patients, many of whom had never had a primary care provider before. Based on the success they have seen in Charlotte, Jordan, who has a net worth of $3.2 billion, is confident the clinics in Wilmington would have a very positive impact as well.

"Everyone is worthy of access to quality health care, no matter where you live or if you have insurance," Jordan said. "I'm truly inspired by the many powerful stories of people who are now thriving thanks to the support of our Charlotte medical clinics. I am confident Novant Health's new clinic will positively impact individuals and families throughout Wilmington. I'm profoundly grateful to help make this day happen for my hometown."

Everyone certainly is worthy of access to quality health care and I am certain that these clinics will be of great help. You just love to see people help those less fortunate than them and I applaud Jordan for his efforts.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

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