Cass Family Clinic's Summer Greeter Program Provides Paid Job Opportunities to Local High School Students
Cass Family Clinic 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.”
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.”
Cass Family Clinic: Niles Clinic Under Construction to Make Way For Dental Center
NILES, Mich., June 3, 2025 – Construction is underway at Cass Family Clinic’s Niles facility to make way for its Niles Community Dental Health Center – unifying healthcare services under one roof.
The Niles Community Dental Health Center, which is moving two miles from its current location at 122 Grant St., will occupy 4,500 square feet in the west wing of Cass Family Clinic’s Niles facility. Construction began in March. The facility is expected to open in September.
“Having our dental team under the same roof as our other healthcare services in Niles provides integrated care for our patients,” said Joe Gavan, CEO of Cass Family Clinic. “We’re excited and proud to open this new space to better serve our community.”
The facility will feature 12 treatment rooms and provide a full spectrum of dental services, including hygiene exams, prophy, debridement, sealants, scale and root planning, fillings, extractions, dentures, crowns, root canals, and space maintainers.
In addition to high-quality dental care, the center will include features not commonly found in other practices, such as a dedicated special needs treatment room and wheelchair-accessible equipment. A state-of-the-art lift system will enable patients to receive care directly from their wheelchair, improving both comfort and accessibility.
With the integrated healthcare offerings in Niles, Cass Family Clinic will increase its staff to 31 at the newly-constructed dental clinic, including University of Michigan dental interns, who will join in the fall.
Barker Nestor Architecture + Design of Chicago designed the new dental space, while construction is being managed by Astrong Construction of Niles.