Tucson News NowStudents offer free cholesterol screenings

Cholesterol screening, it's just a routine test you get at your doctor's office, right?

Today, there was nothing basic about it at one local high school as students got a glimpse at what could be a future career in medicine.

Students in the Medical Lab class at Mountain View High School ran a laboratory clinic today, offering free cholesterol testing for patients.

"You do a lot more than you would learning from the books," said Michael Parra, a student in the class and a senior at Mountain View. "It's a lot more hands-on."

With blue gloves and white coats, students transform.

"I'm actually learning something in a class I actually want to do when I'm older," said Aundrea Lewis, also a senior at Mountain View. "It's a huge impact," she said of the class.

Rosemarie Prater teaches the class, and says today, "... really is a big charge for them that they're doing it all themselves."

Students screened 55 people today.

"The fact that I'm actually helping them figure it out and that's what they're depending on me for, it's nerve-racking but it's exciting to actually show them," Lewis said.

After a year of training and preparing, students this is more than a final project, especially because the patient results are real.

Kathy Coryell had a screening today and says seeing students take charge like this is inspiring.

"I'm impressed," Coryell said. "I didn't know there was anything this forward-thinking in Tucson."

Into the future is where these students are looking, most hope to go into medicine.

"I know something now. I know how to do it," Parra said. "I don't just see people doing it, I know how to do it."

Learning from a teacher who believes in a hands-on approach.

"It makes teaching worthwhile when you know you've helped them," Prater said. "That's why I'm in it. I'm very emotional about it."

This is the 4th annual free screening that's been held at Mountain View.

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