PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Ravae Graham
ravae.x.graham@kp.org
Organization becomes the NBA team’s official health plan provider.
ATLANTA — Kaiser Permanente has announced a partnership with the Atlanta Hawks, becoming the professional basketball team’s official commercial health plan provider. The collaboration aims to raise awareness about the importance of physical fitness, mental health and healthy eating, promoting healthier lifestyles across the Atlanta community.
“Kaiser Permanente is excited to partner with the Atlanta Hawks, an organization that shares our mission to improve the health and well-being of Georgians,” said Pam Shipley, regional president of Kaiser Permanente in Georgia. “This collaboration allows us to take action on important issues like food insecurity, mental health and physical fitness, reaching more people and providing tools for healthier more active lives.”
The partnership officially launched Wednesday, Oct.16 at the Decatur Family YMCA, where Kaiser Permanente will distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to underserved families. The event is particularly timely as many local families will be on fall break and unable to access school-provided meals.
“We are so thrilled to launch this cornerstone partnership with Kaiser Permanente Georgia,” said Andrew Saltzman, president of business enterprise and chief commercial officer for the Atlanta Hawks. “We share a belief in uplifting the Atlanta community, and we are looking forward to partnering and developing meaningful platforms that inspire and promote a healthier lifestyle.”
As part of the partnership, Kaiser Permanente in Georgia will donate supplies to local YMCAs including basketballs, coolers and T-shirts, further promoting physical activity and proper hydration. Kaiser Permanente will also be featured at Hawks basketball games throughout the season with in-game branding, enhancing its message of health and wellness. The Hawks and Kaiser Permanente will work together in Georgia on free, year-round health and wellness pop-up activations aimed at breaking down barriers to health care access and promoting a holistic approach to wellness.
Kaiser Permanente is deeply committed to community health and has made significant investments to support wellness initiatives across Georgia. Recently, the organization contributed $150,000 to the Atlanta Community Food Bank as part of its Food Is Medicine program, which provides fresh and nutritious food to people in need.
Committed to entertaining and uniting the city of Atlanta since 1968, the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena, under the leadership of Principal Owners Tony Ressler and Jami Gertz, continue to build bridges through basketball by following its True to Atlanta mantra. On the court, the Hawks’ exciting young core is led by three-time All-Star point guard Trae Young. Off the court, the Hawks organization focuses on positively impacting the lives of Atlantans through providing access to youth basketball, fighting food insecurity, and the transformation of State Farm Arena into Georgia’s largest-ever voting precinct for the 2020 elections. The Hawks family also includes the College Park Skyhawks (NBA G League). Atlanta Hawks Membership, which includes your seat for every home game, is on sale now at www.hawks.com/membership or by calling 866-715-1500. For more information on the Hawks, log on to www.hawks.com or follow us on social media @ATLHawks.