Project Access

Hope Smelser grew up in rural Montana on a family farm outside a town of 75 people.

Growing up in remote Montana taught her the importance of access to health care, and from a young age, she was dedicated to becoming a doctor to help people receive the care they deserve. She attended KU Lawrence for undergrad until COVID hit, then completed her undergraduate biochemistry degree at the University of Montana. During undergrad, she worked as an EMT in Granite County, Montana, on the county’s only ambulance. When she began med school at KU-Wichita, she immediately became involved in the JayDoc student clinic, providing health care to uninsured people in the Wichita area. She also became involved with Project Access’s annual fundraiser and recently joined the executive board as a non-voting member. After medical school, Hope plans to complete an internal medicine residency.

Hope is involved with Project Access because she believes healthcare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income, insurance status, or ability to pay. As a medical student, Hope has seen how impactful specialty care can be on a person’s health and quality of life and is grateful to support a program that helps connect patients with the care they need. Project Access reflects the kind of physician she hopes to become, one who recognizes barriers to care and works to make the healthcare system more compassionate, easier to navigate, and more accessible.

Project Access thanks Hope for her continued support and can’t wat to see the impact she will have as a doctor!

Dani is the entrepreneur behind Dani’s Homemade Bath & Body 🫧🛁🧼. You can find her at the Wichita Farm and Art Markets!

While Dani works tirelessly as a self-employed business owner, affording health insurance is difficult when profit margins are small.

Dani provides hygiene items to keep you clean and healthy, and Project Access was there for Dani when she needed thyroid surgery and medication. Without the help of a donating doctor, Dani would be unable to continue to do what she enjoys. Next time you are at the Farm and Art Market, check out her products as she puts a lot of love and care into her craft and she knows there are others out there who have put love and care into her.

Starting tomorrow, 5/27/2026

The Summer Food program starts tomorrow! Free breakfasts and lunches will be offered to all children 18 years old and younger at 33 locations as part of our Summer Food Program, which runs through Friday, July 24. Learn more at usd259.org/summerfood

Thank you Gebran Khneizer, MD for your compassion!

MSSC member Gebran Khneizer with Kansas Gastroenterology was honored recently as one of the Wichita Business Journal 40 Under 40 Awards honorees. In his profile he mentioned Project Access as one of the ways he is involved in the community. Project Access is an MSSC initiative connecting people in need of healthcare with those who provide it. MSSC is grateful to all the physicians, hospital systems, dentists, pharmacists and allied health professionals who donate care to our community.