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Bill Cosby Visits Drexel's Family Health Services Center Ahead Of Expansion

By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A well known celebrity with Philadelphia roots stopped by Drexel University's 11th Street Family Health Services Center in North Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Entertainer Bill Cosby sat down and surprised Robert Anderson who had a bad tooth ache and was in the chair waiting for the dentist.

"This is Dr. Cosby here."

Robert enjoyed the comic relief.

"I feel honored," said a laughing Anderson. "I feel very honored."

Cosby grew up in the Richard Allen housing project in the community and was at Drexel's nurse-run health facility along North 11th Street to see the work that is done there. He will be performing in a fundraiser for the facility's expansion project.

"We have run out of space," said Laura Valenti, Associate Vice President for Development and Marketing for Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions.  "This building was built about 10 years ago and it had maybe five employees at the time. We are up to about 65 at this point and we did about 30,000 visits last year in this community.'"

The facility serves the healthcare needs of those in four public housing developments which have the highest rates of poverty and diabetes in the city.

The fundraiser, "An Evening with Bill Cosby" will be held on October 5th at Drexel's University's main campus.

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