Category: Health Centers in the News

Cass Family Clinic has announced its Mobile Health Clinic is now officially open for patient visits, bringing primary care and wellness services directly to communities across Berrien and Cass counties. The Mobile Health Clinic, led by newly appointed director Nadzieja Pocheki, provides another avenue for residents to access quality, compassionate healthcare close to home.

The year-round Mobile Health Clinic operates Monday through Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at various locations throughout Southwest Michigan. New patients and walk-in appointments are welcome and will be registered onsite. Schedule and location details for the Mobile Health Clinic can be found online at cassfamilyclinic.org/mobile-clinic.

The Mobile Health Clinic offers health and wellness exams, sports physicals, substance use disorder (SUD) behavioral therapy, acute musculoskeletal issues, blood pressure checks, influenza vaccinations, patient education, and other medical resources.

“We’re excited to officially open the Mobile Health Clinic for patient care and provide another avenue to better serve the residents of Southwest Michigan,” said Joe Gavan, CEO of Cass Family Clinic. “It is important to us to ensure that residents in our communities have access to quality healthcare – no matter where they are. With Nadzieja Pocheki leading the Mobile Health Clinic, we’re confident it will deliver exceptional care and build meaningful connections with patients across the region. The Mobile Health Clinic allows us to deliver care in a new and innovative way, reaching patients who might otherwise face challenges accessing services.”

Cass Family Clinic has recently appointed Pocheki, MSN, FNP-BC, to serve as the Mobile Health Clinic director. Pocheki, who has been in the medical field for 15 years, oversees daily operations and the team of medical and behavioral health professionals providing on-site care.

“I believe that healthcare should travel as far as compassion does,” said Pocheki. “Joining the Cass Family Clinic’s Mobile Health Clinic embodies the heart of what healthcare should be – accessible, compassionate, and community centered. We are here to bring care, build trust, create access and make a difference in the lives of others.”

The Mobile Health Clinic’s services are available to everyone in the community, not just current Cass Family Clinic patients. Residents may register as new patients ahead of time at cassfamilyclinic.org/mobile-clinic or by calling (269) 445-3874. Medicaid and most private insurance plans are accepted. For those without insurance, a sliding fee scale based on income and household size is available.

Cass Family Clinic held a ribbon cutting for the Mobile Health Clinic on July 15, and since then, it has been touring the region to introduce the service at community events and local gatherings. The Mobile Health Clinic is partially funded through a partnership with Corewell Health and a $250,000 grant over five years from the Cass County Opioid Settlement Fund.

NACHC and Community Health Forum recognized this effort, read the article here.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce two redevelopment projects receiving support from the bipartisan Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, creating housing and commercial space in Hamtramck and Alpena.

“Thunder Bay Community Health Service extends its sincere gratitude to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Alpena Downtown Development Authority, Target Alpena, City of Alpena, Alpena Chamber of Commerce, and Bay Athletic Club for their invaluable contributions to the revitalization of 200 W. Chisholm St in downtown Alpena,” said Richard Bates, MD, CEO of Thunder Bay Community Health Service. “The partnership with Bay Athletic Club in promoting fitness as a cornerstone of personal and community well-being has been particularly instrumental. The support from each of these esteemed organizations has been crucial in transforming this space and fostering a caring and inclusive environment. We are eager about the future our collaboration is shaping and look forward to continuing our impactful work together in Alpena and other Northeast Michigan Communities.”

Read the full article here.

Cherry Health, along with state and community officials, celebrated the opening of its new Community Recovery Center, located inside Cherry Health Southside Health Center, 2303 Kalamazoo Ave SE, in Grand Rapids, with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

The new 5,000 square-foot Community Recovery Center is Cherry Health’s most robust location for substance use disorder services in West Michigan, offering a weekly outpatient psychotherapy recovery maintenance group, behavioral health screenings, access to community health workers, individual outpatient therapy and substance use disorders counseling, family engagement therapy and recovery management. It allows Cherry Health to expand its partnership with Grand Rapids Red Project’s Harm Reduction services, including its Safe Syringe program. The center also includes a multipurpose space with internet access and a community closet and pantry.

“We’ve christened this new space as our Recovery Center, and I think it sends a really hopeful message to our patients and to the community that recovery is possible, and we’re here for you,” said Bill Joure, Cherry Health COO. “We are expanding our community-based programs, Family Engagement Therapy and Recovery Management. We’ve initiated easy access to behavioral health screenings and the ability to connect patient with a community health worker. And in the coming weeks, we’ll launch group therapy offerings and access to our community closet resource pantry. It has been well over a year in the making and represents the work and support of many individuals and organizations.”

Cherry Health received a $500,000 grant from the City of Grand Rapids opioid settlement funds to expand space and services at its Southside Health Center location. The opioid settlements are the result of over 2,000 federal lawsuits filed by government entities against opioid-related defendants, including manufacturers and distributors. The settlement funds can be used for treatment, support, connection, prevention, harm reduction, and planning, training and research.

“The City of Grand Rapids is committed to working with nonprofits and other community organizations to really address the opioid crisis. This is a perfect example of how those funds are being put to good use in our community,” said Connie Bohatch, City of Grand Rapids, senior managing director of Community Services. “We are really grateful for the work Cherry Health does overall and we are really excited about this space and the access it will provide for recovery and compassionate treatment.”

During the event, Ann Colbert from Rep. Hillary Scholten’s office, presented a Congressional certificate of special recognition to Cherry Health “for its new Community Recovery Center, providing essential medical assistance, behavioral health screening, and substance use disorders counseling for the West Michigan community.”

“Thank you to everyone at Cherry Health and to everyone who was involved in opening up this wonderful facility,” said Colbert.

“Cherry Health’s Community Recovery Center allows us to expand our addiction and recovery services to the community,” said Anna Gerard, director of Behavioral Health Clinical Services at Cherry Health. “It provides a safe space and allows those struggling with addiction and substance use disorders to connect with compassionate healthcare professionals and get the support and care they need all under one roof. Cherry Health meets patients where they are, no matter where they are on their journey. We want to thank the City of Grand Rapids for awarding us this generous grant that will benefit many in our community who need support and hope on their road to recovery.”

The Cherry Health Southside Health Center provides comprehensive family and primary care services, along with behavioral health services, including outpatient therapy, recovery groups, and opioid treatment programs. Cherry Health accepts all Medicaid and Healthy Michigan plans, Medicare, and many other insurance plans.

Cass Family Clinic’s Board of Directors celebrated the opening of its new Niles Dental facility with a ribbon cutting and employee reception. The 4,500-square-foot department is in the west wing of its Niles facility, located at 1951 Oak St.

Cass Family Clinic’s Niles Dental, which moved two miles from its former location on Grant Street, features 12 treatment rooms and provides a full spectrum of dental services, including hygiene exams, prophy, debridement, sealants, scale and root planning, fillings, extractions, dentures, crowns, root canals, space maintainers, and night guards.

“We’re proud to expand our Niles clinic footprint, now offering a fully-integrated and unified healthcare experience under one roof,” said Joe Gavan, CEO of Cass Family Clinic. “Bringing a dental center into our Niles clinic helps streamline our services  to  better care for local residents and patients.”

In addition to high-quality dental care, the new dental department includes features not commonly found in other practices, such as a dedicated special needs treatment room and wheelchair-accessible equipment.

“This state-of-the-art lift system will enable patients to receive care directly from their wheelchair, improving both comfort and accessibility,” said Dr. Madison Mick, dental director at Cass Family Clinic’s Niles Dental. “We are excited to offer this additional level of care for our patients.”

With this expansion, Cass Family Clinic has increased its staff to 27 at the newly-constructed dental center. In addition, University of Michigan dental students will receive hands-on experience through a residency rotation program at Cass Family Clinic’s Niles and Cassopolis locations.

Barker Nestor Architecture + Design of Chicago designed the new dental space, and Astrong Construction of Niles managed the construction.

Cherry Health has partnered with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to operate a Neighborhood Wellness Center inside Renaissance Church of God in Christ (1001 33rd St. SE). Located in Grand Rapids’ Garfield Park neighborhood, it is the only center in Kent County, serving the community three days a week.

Initially established as MDHHS COVID-19 testing sites, Neighborhood Wellness Centers (NWCs) have evolved to offer expanded community-driven services, often in areas with limited access to preventative health care. These centers provide no-cost health and wellness services. The Grand Rapids NWC is among 22 throughout the state, including Muskegon, metro Detroit, Lansing, Flint, Albion, and Niles.

Services include blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screenings, as well as COVID-19 and flu testing. NWCs are staffed with on-site community health workers who can help connect people to resources for food, housing, and transportation, offer health counseling, and provide referrals to primary care providers, among other services. Services are available to anyone at no cost and without identification or insurance, and appointments are not required.

“Cherry Health is proud to partner with MDHHS and Renaissance Church of God in Christ to operate the only Neighborhood Wellness Center in the area,” said Cherry Health Chief Operating Officer Bill Joure. “The wellness centers aim to connect marginalized people to care, which is at the heart of Cherry Health’s mission. We look forward to seeking out and welcoming those who need our services and serving our community at this location.”

The Grand Rapids NWC is located at Renaissance Church of God in Christ, 1001 33rd St., and is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays from 1-6 p.m.

“Helping those with their health and connecting individuals to resources in the community is at the very core of Renaissance Church of God in Christ,” said Parris McMurray, the church’s senior pastor. “We are glad to open our ministry’s doors to Cherry Health and MDHHS to provide a Neighborhood Wellness Center right here in Grand Rapids and be a supportive partner in our community.”

About Cherry Health 

Cherry Health, Michigan’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), operates in six counties across the state, based in Grand Rapids. With a team of more than 700 health care professionals at 20 locations, Cherry Health focuses on removing barriers, expanding access, and delivering comprehensive quality health care services to underserved communities, regardless of an individual’s insurance status or ability to pay. The nonprofit integrated health system provides primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy services, and more. For more information, visit CherryHealth.org.

On Aug. 29, Cass Family Clinic held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of a new clinic in Dowagiac, located at 57392 M-51 S. This marks Cass Family Clinic’s third location, joining clinics in Cassopolis and Niles.

The Dowagiac clinic includes primary medical care and a pharmacy with drive-through services, which is expected to open later this fall. It is managed by two medical providers: Family Physician Dr. Sabrina Cole and Physician Assistant Katie Basha, and employs about 15 Cass Family Clinic employees. It will serve an estimated 2,400 patients in the area.

“We’re pleased to welcome such an experienced medical team to serve the Dowagiac community, including Katie Basha, who many local patients will remember from her previous practice here,” said Joe Gavan, CEO of Cass Family Clinic. “Dr. Sabrina Cole and Katie Basha bring both skill and passion to their work, and we are confident patients will benefit greatly from their care.”

Designed by Barker Nestor Architecture + Design of Chicago, construction for the 4,000-square-foot Dowagiac facility in the former Community Care of Dowagiac building began in March of this year.

“With the opening of our Dowagiac clinic, Cass Family Clinic is bridging convenient access to healthcare and pharmacy services for patients between Cassopolis and Niles,” said Tracy Hertsel, Cass Family Clinic board president. “We believe this new healthcare location will be a benefit for all Cass County residents.”

Medical hours for Cass Family Clinic’s Dowagiac Clinic are:

• Monday and Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday and Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Closed: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

The Dowagiac clinic’s pharmacy is expected to open in October or November.

Cass Family Clinic has announced a partnership with Cass County Medical Care Facility (CCMCF) in Cassopolis, effective Aug. 15.

Established in 1977, CCMCF is a licensed 80-bed nursing home with six private rooms that provides quality 24/7 skilled nursing and rehabilitation services for its residents. CCMCF, a non-profit, is one of 34 county-owned medical care facilities in Michigan that serve residents throughout the state, regardless of the ability to pay for care.

“We are all extremely excited to establish this partnership with Cass Family Clinic as both organizations share a deep commitment to providing the highest level of care for our elderly and those acquiring medical care,” said Mercedes Schirripa, administrator of CCMCF. “Dr. Wetzel and Mr. Bowman have both served residents of Cass County Medical Care Facility in the past, and we’re happy to welcome them back to serve our residents and families.”

Under Cass Family Clinic’s partnership with CCMCF, Dr. Elizabeth Wetzel will serve as the facility’s medical director, and Neil Bowman as its nurse practitioner. Together, they will provide a variety of services, including assessing residents’ change in behavioral/health, reviewing medical changes, and speaking with residents’ family members about their loved one’s care.

“We recognize that Cass County Medical Care Facility residents were likely our patients at one time, and we want to continue to care for them as they continue their life’s journey,” said Cass Family Clinic CEO Joe Gavan. “We’re grateful for the trust they and their families put in us to manage their healthcare needs. We’re also grateful for the renewed opportunity to partner with Cass County Medical Care Facility – a critical organization for Southwest Michigan residents.”

Dr. Wetzel, who has been with Cass Family Clinic since 2014, received a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Des Moines University.

Bowman, who joined Cass Family Clinic in 2016, received a Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, from Goshen College. He worked as a medic for many years before joining Cass Family Clinic.

Wetzel and Bowman have previously served the medical care facility under Cass Family Clinic.

“Cass Family Clinic has stepped up to meet the needs of our county in multiple ways, including a mobile clinic to serve areas of our county without healthcare, treatment of opioid use disorder with Narcan distribution, mental health services – and now, helping to fulfill the acute physician need at Cass County Medical Care Facility,” said Dr. James Wierman, chair, CCMCF Board of Directors. “We are grateful for their unwavering commitment and support in our county.”

Cass Family Clinic held a ribbon-cutting event on Tuesday, July 15, for its new Mobile Health Clinic. The event took place at Cass Family Clinic’s Cassopolis location, 261 M-62 North.

Cass Family Clinic is launching the Mobile Health Clinic to better serve the residents of Southwest Michigan. The year-round Mobile Health Clinic will offer health and wellness exams, sports physicals, substance use disorder (SUD) behavioral therapy, acute musculoskeletal issues, blood pressure checks, influenza vaccinations, patient education, and other medical resources.

“At Cass Family Clinic, our goal is to ensure that residents have access to quality healthcare – no matter where they are,” said Cass Family Clinic CEO Joe Gavan. “The Mobile Health Clinic allows us to deliver care in a new and innovative way, reaching patients who might otherwise face challenges accessing services. We’re deeply grateful for the generous support of Corewell Health, which makes it possible to bring these vital resources to communities across Southwest Michigan.”

Joe Gavan speaks to attendees during Cass Family Clinic’s Mobile Health Clinic ribbon cutting.

“We are proud to partner with Cass Family Clinic to bring high-quality care closer to home for individuals and families,” said Natalie Baggio, president of Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan. “Access to care is the foundation of a healthy community. By working together to reach rural areas through mobile services, we’re helping ensure that every resident, regardless of location, has the opportunity to live a healthier life.”

Natalie Baggio speaks to attendees during Cass Family Clinic’s Mobile Health Clinic ribbon cutting.

Cass Family Clinic has also been awarded $250,000 for over five years from the Cass County Opioid Settlement Fund, a grant approved by the Cass County Board of Commissioners, to help fund the Mobile Health Clinic.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Carol Bealor speaks to attendees during Cass Family Clinic’s Mobile Health Clinic ribbon cutting.

The Mobile Health Clinic will be on tour July 16-25, visiting various communities, including Niles, Marcellus, Jones, Vandalia, Dowagiac and Edwardsburg.

The Mobile Health Clinic services are available to anyone in the community, not just Cass Family Clinic patients. Residents may register as a Cass Family Clinic patient at the Mobile Health Clinic. Medicaid and most other insurance plans are accepted. For those without insurance, a sliding fee payment scale based on income and family/household size is available.

The Mobile Health Clinic will operate Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Scheduled and walk-in appointments will be available.