A free health care clinic put on by UA students and health care professionals provided women with free health screening for diabetes, cholesterol and an array of other major health problems Saturday.

Hundreds of women participated in the free health expo, which was held at the Pima Community College Downtown Campus, 1255 N. Stone Ave.

The event was sponsored by the UA chapter of the American Pharmacists Association-Academy

of Student Pharmacists and other organizations including the UA Pre-Pharmacy Club.

The fourth annual event was geared to educate women on their health through resources that enable them to take an active role in their health care, said Anna Secosky, an event co-coordinator and UA pharmacy student.

The UA Colleges of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing support the Academy of Student Pharmacists.

“”(The event) is good for people who can’t necessarily afford appropriate health care,”” said Jenna Carlson, a UA pharmacy junior. “”They can get a free screening to see if they need to go and pay (for additional testing).””

In addition to the assortment of health booths and screening stations, three guest speakers were invited to give advice on healthy habits, heart disease and preventing violence against women.

“”I think the most important thing is to realize that women are different,”” said Lori Mackstaller, a guest speaker and UA College of Medicine M.D. “”We don’t have the same symptoms, we don’t respond the same way to medications and more research needs to be done.””

Other presentations where given by Martie Fankhauser of the UA College of Pharmacy and Montserrat Caballero from the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault.

For one woman, the event provided her with a potentially lifesaving piece of information.

“”They just told me to go to the hospital,”” said Tina DeConcini, a UA alumna. “”I have a parent with diabetes and (other doctors) completely said I don’t have diabetes, and my numbers in here are so high.””

DeConcini said she came to the event on a lark and was told after her diabetic screening that her numbers were astronomical and she needed to immediately go to the University Medical Center for treatment.

“”I could possibly be dropping dead in 5 minutes down the street – no, actually right here,”” DeConcini said. “”I felt faint, so I took my blood, but why would I have taken my blood when three times this past month (other doctors) have told me I don’t have diabetes.””

DeConcini said the demeanor of the representatives at the event was excellent compared to her experiences in hospitals and other health organizations.

“”These guys are so fresh,”” DeConcini said. “”I cry every time I go to the doctor and I did not cry once (at the expo).””

Members of the National Community Pharmacists Association and the Student Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists made up the bulk of those conducting screenings.