Oak Street Health Names Former NBA Star World B. Free as Spokesperson in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (PRWEB) February 06, 2019 -- Oak Street Health, a network of centers that provide innovative primary care services to Medicare recipients, has selected retired professional basketball player World B. Free as its spokesperson in Philadelphia. Together, Oak Street Health and World B. Free will host several events to support the organization’s commitment to giving seniors the personal, equitable and accountable care they deserve.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have World B. Free as our official spokesperson in Philadelphia,” said Amyn Andharia, Regional Vice President. “As a well-respected leader in the community and champion for healthy living, World embodies everything we stand for at Oak Street Health. We look forward to working with him to help improve the health of Philadelphia seniors in 2019 and beyond.”
After an illustrious 13-year career in the NBA, where he spent 4 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and was eventually inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, World has become a leader in the Philadelphia community for giving back to local residents. Today, he represents the Philadelphia 76ers as its ambassador and travels the TriState area speaking at schools, recreation centers and playgrounds teaching the fundamentals of basketball and life. Yet after experiencing a heart attack at age 58, Free became a passionate advocate for reaching a broader audience on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and developing a strong, consistent relationship with one’s primary care doctor.
“Oak Street Health’s dedication to providing seniors a better healthcare experience inspires me, and I’m excited to help spread that message in the Philly community,” said World B. Free. “I know so many people who are running away from the doctor’s office because of past experiences, but seniors should know that there is a place they can go to get the quality care they deserve. Since my heart attack I’ve really benefited from building a close relationship with my primary care physician, and I want seniors to experience the same support that I have. They’ll get that experience and more at Oak Street Health.”
Oak Street Health’s commitment to treating the whole person extends far beyond the scope of traditional primary care, including transportation to and from appointments, podiatry, in-center pharmacy services, social support and behavioral health services. Physicians and their dedicated care teams spend twice as much time with patients compared to the industry’s typical primary care provider, ensuring patients get a more comprehensive level of care. As a result, the organization has reduced hospital admissions for its patients by 40 percent.
“It’s amazing the difference a friendly face can have in making a person feel valued and cared about. When patients see the green Oak Street Health van pull up to their front door to take them to their appointment, they know they are going to be greeted with a smile. We need more of that here in Philadelphia,” World added.
World will be joining Oak Street Health at several events in February and March, including:
- SilverSneakers fitness events at the West Philadelphia YMCA, located at 5120 Chestnut Street, on February 15, starting at 10:30 am. World will offer signed basketballs for all who attend and speak about Oak Street Health and the importance of heart health.
- Oak Street Health Parkside center, located at 5050 Parkside Ave on February 19, starting at 1:30 pm. Participants will learn how to do a variety of stretching exercises with a basketball. World will offer signed basketballs for all attendees and speak about Oak Street Health and the importance of primary care.
- Details to be determined for an additional event on March 14.
Oak Street Health Philadelphia centers serve Medicare patients in the West Philadelphia, Mount Airy, Oak Lane, Logan, Aramingo, Port Richmond, Fern Rock, Lehigh Avenue, University City and Cobbs Creek neighborhoods.
To find your nearest center and learn more about Oak Street Health, visit http://www.oakstreethealth.com.
About Oak Street Health
Oak Street Health is a fast-growing and innovative network of primary care centers for adults on Medicare designed to make healthcare more personal, equitable and accountable for all. Oak Street Health centers offer much more than a standard visit with a doctor. From providing transportation to and from appointments, insurance education, and supplemental services such as podiatry, behavioral health, and in-center pharmacies, the organization is closing critical gaps in the traditional healthcare experience. To encourage social wellness, each center hosts hundreds of social, fitness, and learning activities throughout the year. These services, coupled with Oak Street Health’s focus on quality of care instead of volume of services, has led to a 44 percent reduction in patient hospital admissions and a 46 percent reduction in patient emergency room visits. Today, the organization serves more than 200 communities across the United States with one mission at its core - to rebuild healthcare as it should be.
Kyle Rall, Walker Sands Communications, 312-964-9114, [email protected]
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