Vaishnav Samaj & GOPIO organize Health Fair

CHICAGO: Vaishnav Samaj of Midwest (VSM) in partnership with Global Organization of Peoples of Indian Origin (GOPIO) held its Third Annual Health Fair at Shreejidwar Haveli (www.shreejidwar.org) in to two distinctly separate phases, organized one week apart.

The Phase 1 on June 15 was devoted to investigational aspect which included collection of patient’s data, including registration, demographic data with information of gender, sex, age of patients along with documentation of patient’s medical history, etc.

From this information, each patient’s data was used to stratify risk factors which were used for assigning screening tests including collection of blood and urine for analysis of pertinent screening chemistry and hematological and urine analytic tests etc.

These samples were sent for analysis to the Laboratory of Nationally recognized University of Illinois Pathology Laboratory.

Other cost effective and life saving tests like Electrocardiogram (ECG) on all individuals over 55 yrs of age, bone density scan for those at risk of losing calcium from bones (osteoporosis), hearing and eye sight screening etc. were also performed . Results of these cumulative data along with patient’s information were placed in each person’s confidential file.

Phase 2 was held on June 22, a week later. During the second phase, the individual cumulative documentations were given to each patient and they were directed to see individual volunteer physicians present including primary care specialists and ancillary medical personnel including audiologist, optometrists, ultrasound technologist chiropractic specialists etc. This resulted in far more comprehensive evaluation and care of patients seen. At the end these patients were given thorough medical evaluation advice and referral for further care and follow up.

Physician consultations were provided by Primary care physician doctors including Dr Umang Patel, Dr Jayashree Raju, Dr Pratimaben Shah and Dr Rakesh Parikh. ECG interpretation and Cardiology consultation was given by Cardiologist Dr Samir Shah.

Eye screening and consultation were provided by Dr Parag Majmudar, Dr Snehali Upadhyay, Dr Achut Desai and Dr. Jigna Joshi.

Ear Nose and Throat consultation was provided by Dr Ramesh Patel. Chiropractic exam was performed by Dr Avani Shah and Dr Arun Mani. Physical therapy was presented by Dr Aparna Sekhar.

Volunteers took care of registration and triage desk. Volunteers were seen very busy drawing blood samples at the blood draw tables. To minimize the waiting time, there were four machines used to perform ECGs. The Diabetic consultations were provided by Kishore Chugh, Vivek Patel, Paragi, Patel, Rajesh Chotalia and Prashant Patel. Screening Mammogram and Paps smear registration were completed by Sarah Rao, Carla Zang and Yaohoa Jin from Xilin Association in Naperville, IL. Dental assessment and consultation were provided by Dr Kaushi Shah and Dr Neha Sheth.

Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (AAA), a preventable and highly fatal condition, was performed by Julian Shibly.

Blood Draw Team comprised Bhagwat Thakkar, Bakul Thakkar, Pankaj Shah, Heta Kadakia, Janak Patel, Hiren Khambhati, Neelam Thakkar, Surekha Gandhi, Rohini Iyanger
At the education seminar, a presentation on Nutrition, Diet and Diabetes was done by Diptiben Shah and Darshana Vyas. There was enthusiastic lively participation by attendees.

Temple volunteers provided breakfast of tea, coffee, light snack and cookies to all patients and volunteers. At the conclusion of the event, healthy lunch was enjoyed by all. Dr Umang Patel thanked all volunteers and provided a package of Prasad from Mandir to all volunteers.

More than 100 individuals availed the free services provided at this health fairs. It is an annual community service open to any needy individual without consideration of race, religion, ethnicity race or age

VSM management is led by Dr Umang Patel (President), Rajesh Shah (Chairman), Kamlesh Shah (Secretary), and Hansaben Patel (Vice President).

Next big events are Nand Mahotsav on Saturday, August 31and Annakut Mahotsav on Saturday, November 18.

Asian Media USA