TRENTON, S.C. - Angelica Garcia smiled and said it had been "mucho anos," many years, since she had seen a doctor.

Fortunately, she said, she doesn't have any health problems. But the 20-year-old worker originally from Mexico lined up with her colleagues Friday at Layman Wholesale Nurseries Inc. to be screened by nursing students for conditions such as diabetes and eye problems.

"She likes the idea of the whole health fair," said translator Jo-Ellen McDonough, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at the Medical College of Georgia.

Dr. McDonough brought 10 of her students in a Spanish class for health care professionals to the sprawling nursery to help screen the workers.

Although the workers are here legally and have visas and green cards, many of them have trouble getting health care, nursery owner Barry Layman said.

The workers might not be "feeling comfortable" in the health care system, he said.

"It's language, it's money, it's knowledge, where to go," Dr. McDonough said.

That's one reason the workers got information in Spanish on what services were available at, for instance, nearby Edgefield County Hospital and the names of some doctors who speak Spanish.

"We want to make sure they are getting some follow-up care for any problems they have," Mr. Layman said.

For students such as senior Chelsi Logeman, 21, it was a chance to use their Spanish skills, which could be important in their nursing future.

"Especially in Georgia, you run into it everywhere, no matter what floor (of the hospital) you are on," she said.

Reach Tom Corwin at (706) 823-3213 or tom.corwin@augustachronicle.com.