CASSOPOLIS — Cassopolis Family Clinic Network, a Federally Qualified Health Center serving the communities of Cass and southeast Berrien counties, has received a $300,000 donation from Spectrum Health Lakeland. The contribution was given toward the cost of the new Niles Community Health Center facility that opened at 1951 Oak St., just east of the Niles city limits, in November 2019.   

NCHC opened its doors in 2014 just as the state of Michigan expanded Medicaid to nearly 670,000 low-income state residents. Most were people who had no regular source of healthcare and used the emergency room when they were sick, CFCN officials said. Located in a small, two doctor office space at 24 N. St. Joseph Ave., Niles, NCHC was at full capacity within a year, and the original site could not meet the growing demand for services. 

The health center provides primary care and support services for people who are covered by most commercial insurances, Medicare, Michigan Medicaid, and has a Sliding Fee Discount Program for those who are uninsured.

The new 30,000-square-foot facility has allowed the health center to double medical capacity to care for additional 3,200 patients, create a new home for its obstetrics and gynecology services, and have an on-site pharmacy. NCHC Pharmacy is set to open later this month.  The facility also has a behavioral health wing providing psychiatric and therapeutic services for patients with mild to moderate behavioral health conditions.    

“I speak for everyone at our health center in expressing our gratitude to Spectrum Health Lakeland for its generous support.  We hold our collaboration with the health system in high regard, and are committed to working together to care for the people in the Greater Niles area,” said CFCN Chief Executive Officer Mary Geegan Middleton.  

CFCN plays an important role in Cass and southeast Berrien counties by providing easy access to high-quality, affordable healthcare at multiple locations, Middleton said. While the health center provides care for everyone who walks through its doors, the Federally Qualified Health Center is a safety net provider — caring for the area’s most vulnerable population.