Mississippi School of the Arts is partnering with the Mississippi SHINE Project to host a free community health fair on the school’s campus. The event will be March 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Department of Health and Office of Oral Health will conduct limited oral screenings. The health fair will also include blood pressure checks, diabetes testing and BMI (body mass index) testing.

Mississippi Blood Services will be on hand for anyone who wants to donate blood.

“The purpose of the event is to bring health education to the community,” Mississippi SHINE project community health worker Tomeka Banks said.

After giving presentations at MSA, Banks coordinated with MSA nurse Denise Owen to organize the health fair.

MSA students will be volunteering at the event along with area medical professionals.

MSA students’ poetry and artwork will be on display and several students will perform during the event.

“It’s not only for the students, but for the community as well,” Banks said.

According to Mississippi SHINE Project, health screenings are helpful to call attention to problems you may not be aware of. All screenings conducted at the health fair will be performed by licensed medical professionals.

The mission of Mississippi SHINE project is to promote health and wellness of the population in Southwest Mississippi.

“Your health is our business and we want to make sure everyone in Mississippi has access to health care,” Project Director George Dixon said. “We want to give back to the community, as well as the students.”

For more information, call Tomeka Banks at 601-415-3811 or the Mississippi School of the Arts at 601-823-1300.

Story by Gracie Byrne