06/05/2026
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!
