By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / NIles Daily Star
NILES - Niles residents will have more options when it comes to health care with the opening of Dr. George Drake's family medicine practice.
Drake will be opening his practice in the building located at 1 S. Fifth St., where the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization was previously located. Drake hopes to have things up and running by the end of May.
Drake chose the location for his office because the building was originally a physicians office, and it's centrally located, as well as its close proximity to Lakeland Niles Hospital.
Drake was born and raised in South Haven, and has family in the Niles area. He attended Kalamazoo College for his undergraduate degree and then went on to Michigan State University attending the College of Human Medicine for his medical degree.
Drake will be assisted at his new practice by his wife Jeannine who is a nurse and has a business administrative background. The couple have five grown children and 10 grandchildren.
Drake added that what he really loves about practicing medicine is teaching his patients about their care and conditions. He also has an interest in end-of-life care.
In his private time, Drake loves spending time with his wife and children. He is an amateur astronomer and Star Wars fan.