AKRON, Ohio — The LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) announced plans on Tuesday for I PROMISE HealthQuarters, a community-based primary care center.
In a news release, LJFF said the HealthQuarters would offer medical, dental, and optometry support. Additionally, it will offer an on-site lab and mental health services, while a reduced-cost pharmacy would be provided by AxessPointe, Coleman Health Services and the Peg's Foundation.
“As we continue to listen and respond to what our families need, our work continues to expand in ways we never dreamed of,” Michele Campbell, Executive Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, said in a news release. “Access to affordable health care has always been a critical need for our families – and further heightened by the pandemic – so we began rallying our community to bring the experts together under one trusted roof. Being able to provide this important resource for the entire community is only possible because we have incredible partners that share our We Are Family philosophy.”
The new HealthQuarters is within walking distance of the I PROMISE School and the other I PROMISE facilities. It is directly across the street from LJFF's House Three Thirty.
"The vision for the community is that they really have one place where they can get all of their health- their whole health treated. Not just their physical health, going to a primary care doctor, seeing the dentist, but also being able to get their mental health evaluated and to get treatment as well," said Hattie Tracy, president and CEO of Coleman Health Services.
The site of the new HealthQuarters will be at 533 West Market Street in Akron, home of Bell Music Company. The company says it will be relocating to make room for the new health center.
“Family has always come first in everything we do,” said David R. George, retired Chairman of Bell Music Company. “Seeing that shared value with the LeBron James Family Foundation, we want to make sure we’re doing our part to support and grow their work that lines up with our family-first approach. The opportunity to help their Foundation achieve its vision was enough for us to re-locate. We are excited to help the LJFF while being able to keep our headquarters in Summit County for generations to come.”
The new HealthQuarters will also offer an outdoor green space for physical and recreational activities. Construction for the 533 W. Market Street location is expected soon. I PROMISE HQ is slated to open in 2023.