Jefferson Health and the Eagles Deepen a Commitment to Better Health

When two of Philadelphia’s most trusted institutions come together, the impact can extend far beyond the field and well outside hospital walls. This February, Jefferson Health and the Philadelphia Eagles announced a landmark new chapter in their long-standing partnership. The team’s training facility will be renamed the Jefferson Health Training Complex, anchoring a collaboration focused on community health, education, and long-term well-being across the region. For both organizations, the name represents a shared statement of purpose.

“Our mission is rooted in our core values: to put people first, pursue excellence, and do what’s right,” Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, the CEO of Jefferson, said. “By aligning with an organization that shares our commitment to excellence, teamwork, and community impact, we’re creating new opportunities to elevate health education, expand prevention efforts, and inspire people across the region to engage with their own well-being. This partnership amplifies our ability to meet people where they are, while staying grounded in the values that define Jefferson as a not-for-profit anchor institution.”

The renaming of the Eagles training facility is only one recent example of Jefferson’s ongoing commitment to the Philly community. Over the years, the health system has advanced health education and workforce development initiatives designed to expand access to care beyond traditional clinical settings.

In 2023, for instance, Jefferson launched its Community Health Worker Academy, a 13-month training and workforce development program that prepares new patient care professionals to support individuals and families within their own communities. Jefferson has also partnered with local venues, including faith-based organizations, to provide health services and outreach in places where people already gather, helping to reduce barriers to preventive care. To underscore this commitment, Jefferson Health recently announced a new collaboration with the Hatfield Ice Center in Colmar, Pa., where it has provided health screenings and wellness programming. The iconic rink will now be known as Jefferson Health Arenas at Hatfield Ice.

Recently, the system also partnered with the Cherry Hill, N.J., mayor’s office on its “Healthier Together” wellness campaign, a community‑focused effort aimed at improving health through education, screenings, and active living. In 2026, Jefferson hosted the “Champion Your Health” event at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, created in collaboration with Mayor David Fleisher. The event offered engaging, family‑friendly demonstrations such as CPR practice, fitness sessions, and healthy cooking, all designed to empower residents with practical tools for better living.

As part of the “Healthier Together” partnership, Jefferson Health also plays a central role in supporting the mayor’s monthly Wellness Walks, a community tradition that encourages people of all ages to stay active. Jefferson clinicians contribute to the campaign by providing blood pressure and glucose screenings, as well as by leading educational sessions on mental wellness, resilience, and setting healthy intentions.

Overall, the “Healthier Together” initiative reflects a shared commitment to giving New Jersey residents accessible, preventive health resources. By combining education, movement, and nutrition guidance, the partnership seeks to strengthen community well‑being and promote a balanced, active lifestyle.

“Jefferson and the Eagles are united in supporting the well-being of every person in our region.”

A Cornerstone Investment in Community Health

The Jefferson Health Training Complex will serve as the physical and symbolic cornerstone of its Eagles partnership, a home for elite athletic performance. The naming reinforces Jefferson’s role as a regional and national leader of health, education, workforce development, and research — the $17 billion enterprise includes more than 30 hospitals and 700 care sites across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a health plan, and a leading academic institution that employs more than 65,000 people.

For the Eagles, the partnership reflects a decades-long commitment to using the sport of football as a force for good, a value long championed by the organization’s ownership. Its impact is ensured by Jefferson’s broad reach and the institutions’ shared connection to the same communities. Jefferson has been one of the Eagles longest-running relationships. Over the years, that partnership has fueled many community initiatives, which have supported breast cancer, autism research, and other causes.

Reaching Communities Where They Are

Jefferson’s community health efforts currently span the full range of programs for the public, including healthy food access, workforce development, and mobile cancer screenings. Other initiatives like JeffCARES empower members of the Jefferson community to take action to address critical social needs, foster engagement, and make a meaningful impact in our diverse neighborhoods and communities through partnerships with local non-profits.

“We’ve seen extraordinary results from programs like our Community Health Worker Academy, a program that creates pathways into health care careers and measurably improves patient outcomes,” Cacchione said.

The Community Health Worker Academy, which recently became the first in the United States to earn CHW accreditation from the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC), trains trusted local residents to serve as health advocates in their own neighborhoods, helping to bridge the gap between communities and access to care. “Our partnership with the Eagles strengthens those efforts,” Cacchione said.

What distinguishes the expansion of this partnership between Jefferson and the Eagles is this explicit focus on providing care to their communities outside of traditional health settings. Instead, the partners are offering educational resources and more at gathering places like Eagles games.

Through programs like Crucial Catch, the NFL and the American Cancer Society’s campaign to fight cancer through early detection, the partnership has provided health care workers at the stadium and recognized cancer survivors during halftime events. Jefferson’s mobile cancer screening vans have also appeared at games, offering screening education and information, proving their slogan: “Driven to Improve Lives.”

“The credibility and visibility the Eagles bring helps us reach individuals who may be hesitant to engage with traditional health care settings,” Nick Ragone, the Jefferson executive vice president and chief marketing officer, said. “When the Eagles encourage fans to prioritize their health, it opens doors we couldn’t open alone.”

“That’s exactly the kind of partnership we want to build on,” Cacchione said. “Meeting people where they are, using trusted voices to break down barriers, and ultimately saving lives through early detection and prevention.”

A Legacy of Philanthropy and Purpose

The partnership also aligns naturally with the Eagles’ long track record of philanthropy. After purchasing the team in 1994, Jeffrey Lurie and his family built robust community impact platforms, including the Eagles Youth Partnership, the Eagles Eye Mobile, and the Go Green initiative, one of the first comprehensive sustainability efforts in professional sports.

The Eagles’ commitment to health-related causes is most visible in the Eagles Autism Foundation, launched by Lurie in 2017 and inspired by his younger brother, who was diagnosed with the condition as a child. The foundation has raised more than $40 million to support autism research and services, directing funds to institutions like Jefferson.

“As the team’s Official Health System Partner, Jefferson Health will collaborate with us on year-round community initiatives, focusing on health education and screenings, preventive care awareness, and engagement programs aligned with many of the team’s key priorities, such as the Eagles Autism Foundation and the annual ‛Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer’ game,” Don Smolenski, the president of the Eagles, said. “Jefferson is an ideal partner because they share our core belief that a sports organization is a force for good far beyond the playing field,” he said.

“The long-standing partnership between the Eagles and Jefferson Health has been built on a shared commitment to the region we serve,” Smolenski said. “This [new] multi-year extension marks a defining moment in our partnership, one that will now call the Jefferson Health Training Complex home to the Philadelphia Eagles.”

Building Healthier Futures Together

In 2024, Jefferson invested $1.8 billion in community benefits, in addition to providing 10 million patient visits, while expanding programs that address social determinants of health. “By working with the Eagles, we’re able to take those initiatives out into the community with even greater visibility and reach,” Cacchione said. “It strengthens our ability to improve long-term health outcomes and ensure every community has access to the resources they need to thrive.”

“I hope it sends the message that health is something to be proactive about, not something to wait on,” Cacchione said. “Whether you’re a young athlete, a parent, or simply a fan, taking care of your health today builds a stronger future. This partnership is a reminder that prevention matters, that early action saves lives, and that Jefferson and the Eagles are united in supporting the well-being of every person in our region.”