More than 300 receive free medical services at 55th Health Fair in Itasca
By: Jayanti Oza
More than 300 people received free medical screenings and consultations at the 55th Health Fair held October 4, 2026, at Midwest Swaminarayan Temple in Itasca, Illinois. The event brought together more than 20 physicians and 110 health care professionals and volunteers to provide medical services to community members.
The health fair was supported by Midwest Swaminarayan Temple, Lohana Association of Greater Chicago (LAGC), Gujarati Samaj of Chicago (GSC), Kadva Patidar Samaj (KPS) and Sahiyaru Abhiyan Chicago. Its goal was to help people facing financial or insurance-related barriers to medical care.
Comprehensive medical services
Participants received screenings for height, weight, blood pressure, pulse and blood sugar. Nutrition, diet and diabetes education were also provided.
Volunteers collected blood samples from 275 patients and sent them to the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) laboratory for testing. Organizers said doctors would review the results, which were expected to be mailed to patients within three weeks.
Five electrocardiogram (EKG) machines were used to screen men and women over age 55. Cardiologists Dr. Hetal Gandhi, Vijay Patel and Dr. Manish Bhambhatt interpreted the results for participants.
The fair also offered primary care examinations, dental and ear, nose and throat consultations, eye screenings, urine analysis, physical therapy and hearing tests. Additional services included flu vaccinations, Ayurvedic and chiropractic consultations, and gastrointestinal consultations.
Participating physicians included Dr. Jayashree Raju, Dr. Yohesh Parikh, Dr. Manali Patel, Dr. Vilpa Patel, Dr. Ramesh Patel, Dr. Nayan Patel, Dr. Priya Patel, Dr. Jagruti Patel, Dr. Seema Mani and Dr. Hemal Patel. Audiologist Rachel Miller conducted hearing tests. Numerous volunteers supported the various medical services.
Registration was managed by Rajesh Desai, Hemansu Patel, Kadamb Thakkar, Vatsal Shah, Satish Patel and their team. Organizers also introduced computerized consent and medical assessment forms to streamline registration and documentation.