Category: Health Centers in the News

The Summer Greeter Program employs students from nine high schools in Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana

Cassopolis Family Clinic Network is giving nearly 30 high school students from Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana job opportunities this summer through its Summer Greeter Program.

This summer, 28 students from high schools in Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Edwardsburg, Niles, Brandywine, and St. Joseph in Michigan, as well as Marian High School in Mishawaka, Ind., are working at Cass Family Clinic’s Cass and Niles locations. As part of a paid summer job program that runs through August, the students are welcoming and assisting visitors, distributing clinic merchandise, and shadowing staff. In addition, they will receive training in job interview skills, resume writing, and financial planning.

“These students are gaining valuable, first-hand insight into what it’s like to work in the medical field,” said Joe Gavan, CEO of Cass Family Clinic. “Our hope is that this experience at Cass Family Clinic will strengthen their communication and workplace skills, while helping them make more informed decisions about their future career paths.”

The program’s student greeters are assigned weekday shifts based on their availability. They will have at least one job shadowing opportunity with a staff member in their field of interest.

Josue Gonzalez, a senior at Niles High School interested in pursuing radiology or MRI as a career path, is looking forward to gaining exposure in the healthcare field while participating in the program.

“I’m excited about getting work experience, building my resume, and hopefully getting closer to the path I want to take after graduating,” Gonzalez said. “The Summer Greeter program at Cass Family Clinic gives me the opportunity to observe potential future jobs and learn what it’s like working in healthcare.”

 Zabrina Shivers, a senior at Dowagiac High School, is among 28 students from high schools in Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Edwardsburg, Niles, Brandywine, and St. Joseph in Michigan, and Marian High School in Mishawaka, Ind., who will be working at Cass Family Clinic’s Cass and Niles locations this summer as part of its Summer Greeter Program.

During their shifts, students will be stationed at the entry of Cass and Niles clinics, aiding patients and welcoming them into the facilities. Additionally, they will assist patients with wheelchairs, umbrella escorts (in the event of rain), and directional information, among other support services.

“The Greeter Program gives students a unique opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the day-to-day operations at Cass Family Clinic,” said Gavan. “Now in its second year, the program is designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of the healthcare field. By August, we hope they leave with a clearer view of the industry and feel inspired to consider a future career in healthcare.”

 

MPCA member health center, Western Wayne Family Health Centers has announced their 2024 Community Health Campion Awardees. They have awarded both an exceptional community leader, State Senator Sylvia Santana, chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, and an exemplary organization, Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Downriver Campus in Taylor.

Read the full press release here.

Last week, at the second annual Changing Lives fundraiser, MPCA member health center Great Lakes Bay Health Centers announced that it is consolidating all of its Bay County services into one building.  It will break ground in uptown Bay City on the corner of Main and Saginaw streets by the end of the year. A wide variety of services will be provided, including primary care, behavioral health care, dental and vision, and OBGYN services.

“Our communities love us. They know that we’re still a very well-kept secret in most of the community but our patients know us, appreciate us, and love us and we get a lot of word of mouth. Our patients, all of our staff, is really drawn to our mission: a great love for our patients that keeps them coming back and providing that awesome quality care every single day,” said Jeff Larsen, chief growth and development officer with Great Lakes Bay Health Centers.

Learn more and watch the video here.