A Baumant health professional checks the blood pressure of a community member at the C-ASIST health fair.

DEARBORN — The Islamic Institute of Knowledge hosted a health fair in cooperation with numerous medical institutions and nonprofit organizations. 

The event provided services to more than 150 people, including kidney scans, dental care and cancer screening on Tuesday. Organizers also handed free medical vouchers and offered informational sessions on nutrition and mental health consultation. 

Wallgreens, Baumant Hospital, the American Red Cross, Huda clinic and ACCESS were among the groups that participated in the health fair. Many local Arab American doctors also contributed their services in the event. 

C-ASIST, a women-led Institute of Knowledge outreach initiative, organized the health fair. The nonprofit group also plans on putting together future programs with the aim of helping those in need and empowering community members.

Nancy Berry, the founder of C-ASIST, stressed the importance of bringing people together and helping folks of all faiths and ethnicities.

She said people of different backgrounds, including 40 Syrian refugees, were served at the health fair.

Berry, who has a master’s degree in public health, praised the volunteers at the event.

“The youth are looking for productivity,” she said. “They want to be engaged in activities. They are productive. It was very hands-on for them today. They helped in
every possible way.”

The C-ASIST founder added that the event, which was planned over the past four months, was rewarding.

“It is worth every minute that I put,” she said. “Being in the medical field, I know the disparities of healthcare that we have in the United States. It was a mission that I have to provided resources for people. There are a handful of resources; just find them. That’s my job.”

Berry said she is looking to turn the health fair into a semi-annual tradition.

C-ASIST is working on numerous other projects. The group will serve free meals to school-aged children at the Institute of Knowledge throughout the summer.