Novant Health names neuroscience institute for Deloris Jordan, mother of Michael Jordan

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The mother of Michael Jordan was honored Saturday during a special ceremony as Novant Health officially named its neuroscience institute after her.

The facility will now be known as the Deloris P. Jordan Neurosciences Institute. The naming follows a $10 million donation from Michael Jordan to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Novant Health President and CEO Carl Armato surprised Jordan with an additional announcement.

“It is also my honor, as a surprise, to announce that effective today, you are officially designated as Novant Health’s global health ambassador,” Armato said, prompting cheers and applause from those in attendance.

Although Michael Jordan was not present at the ceremony, Armato said both he and his mother are playing an important role in helping expand care and research at Novant Health.

“To have her, and Michael, to help us advance their care, we are talking about additional research, additional capabilities,” Armato said. “We are already doing remarkable things inside Novant, and I think it’s going to take us even further.”

In addition to the announcement, Armato also revealed a global partnership with Kenya’s Women and Children Wellness Center, an effort Deloris Jordan said she is proud to support.

“It’s about the people who are going to be provided with service,” Jordan said. “We want to enhance that, and we want to continue to expand with what they have been doing, and what I have been doing, so we joined hands and went global.”