Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta VoiceOn Wednesday, Oct. 16, healthcare agency Kaiser Permanente Georgia, launched its partnership with the Atlanta Hawks, becoming the NBA team’s official health plan provider. This collaboration was announced at the Decatur Family YMCA and is focused on promoting physical fitness, mental health, and healthy eating among Atlanta’s residents. With a strong emphasis on health equity, the partnership aims to make wellness more accessible to underserved communities throughout Georgia.Pam Shipley, Regional President of Kaiser Permanente Georgia, explained that this collaboration has been over a year in the making. “We’ve been working on this partnership for over a year now,” Shipley noted, emphasizing the alignment of Kaiser Permanente’s mission with that of the Hawks, stating that both organizations are deeply committed to promoting active and healthy lifestyles. “We knew that it was the right combination to really get with the Hawks and their mission and our mission are completely aligned,” Shipley said. Kristin McEwen, the Chief Experience Officer at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, also spoke to the partnership’s potential to make a lasting impact, highlighting the educational component of the initiative, which is designed to teach children about the importance of physical and mental health. “Kaiser has supported us in ensuring that we’re building healthier and equitable communities,” said McEwen, adding that this collaboration will help kids and their families understand that health and wellness are accessible to everyone. “It’s not just about having access to a gym or knowing how to swim or being the best soccer player,” McEwen explained, “It’s about taking care of who you are, and you’re the most important person in your life,” continued McEwen.“We’re just so excited to get into the neighborhoods and bring these programs directly to the little kids that need it, the big kids that need it, and the adults,” Shipley explained. The goal is to make health education and wellness programs available to all, regardless of socioeconomic status, while ensuring that these initiatives are engaging and fun. Events will feature interactive mascots like Harry the Hawk, Doc Broc, and Nurse Blueberry, helping make health and wellness relatable for children.As Shipley noted, “We’re excited to embark on this partnership because we’ve designed wellness programs that will be in the arena, but they’ll also be in the communities”. The kickoff event at the Decatur Family YMCA, which included the distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to underserved families, addressed not only health but also food insecurity. 250 Bags were made available, with each bag having 5 servings.Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta VoiceAndrew Saltzman, President of Business Enterprise and Chief Commercial Officer for the Atlanta Hawks, reflected on the broader community impact the partnership will have. “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,” he said. The Hawks, committed to their role as a civic asset, cited Saltzman, are focused on creating meaningful change through this collaboration, “ It comes down to just two words, which is civic asset. We believe, from ownership on down, the Atlanta Hawks are a civic asset, and that manifests itself in a myriad of different ways. Community Health is one. Financial inclusion and financial equity is another. Food Insecurity is another,” Saltzman said, “There’s so many different platforms and causes that we care deeply about, and what’s really wonderful is how a sports team can help change for the better the communities that it serves,” continued Saltzman.The post Kaiser Permanente and Atlanta Hawks make a healthy pair appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.