Providing quality services to the community members of Cass and Berrien Counties since 1958.
- In 1958, a group of Cassopolis business leaders had a vision of creating a medical practice that would serve the community. With community support, they raised money to build a medical building at 109 School Street and recruited doctors.
- By 1964, a full medical practice was established by Dr. Aaron Warren and Dr. Lowell Smith, growing into a group practice. The practice became certified as a Rural Health Clinic in 1992 due to the large number of patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or poor reimbursement.
- In January 1993, Lakeland Health purchased the clinic, allowing the clinic to become a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike in 2005.
- In January 2008, the Cass Family Clinic became totally autonomous from Lakeland Healthcare.
- In May 2012, Cass Family Clinic was awarded a $4.4 Million Capital Development grant from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) to put towards a new medical facility in Cassopolis, which is the current standing building you see today. The 7-million-dollar project made possible by the $4.4 million federal grant, $1 million in local fundraising, investments from the Kresge Foundation and Delta Dental Foundation, CFC capital reserves, and financing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- In 2013, Cass Family Clinic was awarded an HRSA New Access Point Grant to help support primary care to medically underserved patients in Southeast Berrien County. Leading to the Niles Community Health Center being opened in 2014 at 24 N. St Joseph Avenue, Suite G.
- In 2014, thanks to a $340,925 development grant from HRSA, Cass Family Clinic build a School Based Health Center at Ross Beatty Junior/Senior School in Cassopolis which provides convenient medical care to students.
- In the fall of 2015, the Cass Family Clinic planned for the construction of a new Niles Community Health Center facility at 1951 Oak Street. The plans for the new 30,000-square-foot facility would double medical capacity, merge primary care, integrated behavioral health services, along with an onsite pharmacy. Construction was completed in November 2019.
- In 2015, Cass Family Clinic’s board of directors moved forward with plans to develop a dental health practice for the Nile’s community. The facility at 122 Grant Street opened in October 2016.
- In 2020, a multidisciplinary team led by Bette Spearrit and Dr. Pazderka began the Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program.
- In January 2020, Niles’ behavioral health opened.
- In February 2020, Niles’ pharmacy opened.
- 2021 was a year of revival from the COVID-19 epidemic that affected everyone’s lives. Cass Family Clinic remained open throughout the entire pandemic to continue its mission of caring for the community.
- In summer 2021, planning started to expand the Nile’s location to create more room for substance use treatment. The east wing opened in May 2023.
- In 2023, Cass Family Clinic purchased 201 M-62 building, which is adjacent to the Cassopolis facility. Remodeling of the interior was completed in 2024. Currently, ideas for what the building will become are being discussed.
- The Cass Family Clinic has come a long way since 1958 and continues to grow to help provide quality services to the community members of Cass and Berrien Counties.
