Doctor Provides Free Cancer Screenings, More to Underinsured NJ Residents

Everyday Inspirations is a series that features people in Patch communities who inspire others through their work, or people who have faced extraordinary situations and grown from them. They have been featured by other people in the community that have been inspired by the nominees.

Name: Tushar Patel 
Town: South Brunswick, NJ

Why is this person an "Everyday Inspiration?" 
Dr. Tushar Patel provides leadership and oversight to various non-profit organizations in New Jersey. Currently, he serves as the President of Indian Health Camp of NJ (IHCNJ) since 2006, and provides his vision, expertise and dedicated volunteer services to lead a non-profit organization for a team of diverse volunteers to organize and conduct free Health Screening and Disease Prevention and Awareness Fairs throughout New Jersey.

Each year, the organization provide medical, dental, eye and various types of cancer screening to approximately 600-800 people between the ages of 45 and 64 without medical insurance or underinsured people in minority communities in New Jersey.

These services are provided at various locations in New Jersey free of charge to qualified people who lacks medical insurance or are underinsured to receive basic health screening. Due to Dr. Patel’s continued self-less and sincere efforts, communities in the New Jersey receive basic health screening for chronic diseases to detect hypertension, diabetes, eye disorders such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and breast and prostate cancer.

Dr. Patel dedicates more than 30 to 40 percent of his time in voluntary services without any expectation and do not receive any monetary gain. His continued efforts and dedicated services through a non-profit organization, benefits communities and families by early detection of chronic diseases to reduce long-term complications and reduce emotional stress and financial burden on the families and society at large.

Has the nominee's life been changed in an extraordinary way? 

Since 1999, the organization provided approximately 9,000 free screenings for needy people in South Asian communities. The Health Fairs include chronic diseases screening for diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, cardiac diseases, eye disorders such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, prostate, cervical and breast cancer screening and awareness education, oral health, pharmacy and physical therapy counseling and dietary and weight management to people without medical resources.

To date, the organization under Dr. Patel’s leadership diagnosed approximately 1,000 chronic diseases abnormalities to provide early intervention to include chronic diseases education and counseling and in some cases diagnostic work up to detect and intervene early heart diseases and cancer.

In 2012-2013, Dr. Patel organized free mammogram for the people of South Brunswick and surrounding communities. Approximately 40 qualified women received free digital mammogram as part of breast cancer screening from NJ Cancer Education and Early Detection. Four women had abnormal mammogram and received further diagnostic work up and in one case, a surgical intervention. 

How does this person work to make others' lives better?

Dr. Patel continues to organize health fair for needy people in community to ensure people without medical insurance or underinsured at least get basic screening for chronic diseases and cancer. His continued efforts thru his non-profit organization helped lot of people in the community to receive early detection and education of chronic diseases.

Dr. Patel is also working with South Brunswick Health Dept. and Middlesex County Health Services to organize "Take Control of Your Health" workshop for people with arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, chronic pain and or other ongoing health conditions to help them manage their smptoms, how to get with healthy eating and exercises, how to communicate effectively with your doctor, how to manage fear, anger and frustration and how to make daily tasks easier.

He is also involved with Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey (IACFNJ) since 2005 and currently serving as the President. He also serves as a Secretary for the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Central Jersey Chapter. He is actively involved in the local community for betterment of the community via health awareness, cultural and recreational activities and civic activities on a volunteer basis without any monetary gain or any expectations.