Project Access

Donna Sweet, M.D., professor in our Department of Internal Medicine, recently received the Laboratory Excellence Award from the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation in recognition of decades of commitment to high-quality patient testing, excellent laboratory practices and renowned work in HIV/AIDS care.

Dr. Sweet was presented with the award at the annual COLA Laboratory Conference last month in Nashville, Tennessee. COLA accredits approximately 7,000 medical laboratories and provides the clinical laboratory with a program of education and accreditation.

Congratulations, Dr. Sweet!

Our Executive Director Shelley Duncan is excited to share that she will be attending the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) 2026 Conference, “Riding the Wave of Transformation: All Hands on Deck,” from July 26–29 in Washington, D.C.! She is looking forward to connecting with fellow clinicians, advocates, and leaders from across the country, and exploring innovative strategies to expand access to care and improve health outcomes for underserved communities.

https://bit.ly/ACUConf26

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