Project Access

03/06/2026

Meet one of our AMAZING Board Members and Donating Physicians!

Dr. Amanda Valliant shares her story regarding her involvement with Project Access. “I am a nephrologist (kidney doctor) and busy mom with a husband and two teenage children active in sports and school. I was born and raised in Wichita and graduated from Wichita State University before transitioning to the University of Kansas for medical school. I currently practice both general and interventional nephrology with Wichita Nephrology Group PA

I find my work with Project Access rewarding as this is an exceptional program that gives back to my community in so many ways. The care provided is donated by a truly special group of health professionals serving our local community from the heart. This group is comprised of the type of compassionate and intelligent humans you hope your children will aspire to be.

I did not grow up wealthy. I worked my way through college and beyond in the food service industry and I know what it feels like to have very little space between living your busy life and a health catastrophe that could devastate you. Many working people diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes, or underlying autoimmune disorders, can develop kidney failure and other complications of these diseases and require nephrology care. I enjoy seeing Project Access patients and helping them through health challenges.

Finally, serving on the Project Access board is something that makes me proud. Giving back to the city that shaped me is not just a professional commitment, it is personal. We have to take care of each other! “

02/27/2026

Silent Auction winners of the NBA Thunder tickets from our Altogether for Access event in September 2025, Dave and Lisa Wright, enjoyed a thrilling basketball game on Sunday, February 22, 2026 . The Oklahoma City Thunder prevailed to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 121 to 113 in one of the most exciting games of the season. To make the day even more memorable, News 9 Thunder reporter Steve McGehee took them down to the court to watch the pregame warm up.

Reports back from Dave and Lisa were “What a FANTASTIC day!!” and “SO.MUCH.FUN!!”

It always makes us smile when our silent auction items result in such joy. And it always makes us smile when donors like the Wrights support our program. Thank you!

02/18/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Donna Sweet! Well deserved!!

02/14/2026

Happy Valentine's Day!

Take care of your ❤️ today during American Heart Month.

Taking small steps like moving more 💪, eating healthier 🥗, controlling your blood pressure📉,and managing your stress 🧘‍♀️can make a big difference in lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Check in on your Heart Health and learn more at https://www.livetothebeat.org.

02/13/2026

Happy Feature Friday!

This week, Crystal, age 55, shared her experience with Project Access, “To everyone at Project Access, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for all you have done for me over these past years. When I had my open-heart surgery, you were there not only to help with my medications, but also to help keep a roof over my head by assisting with my rent and providing the medical supplies needed for my recovery. Your support gave me security at one of the hardest times in my life, and it helped me focus on healing instead of worrying about how I would manage. I truly appreciate your kindness, your patience, and the way you have consistently been there for me. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in my life.”

Crystal, we are grateful to have been part of your successful health journey. Project Access is also deeply thankful to the physicians who donated their care and to the funders whose support made it possible for the program to provide the comprehensive financial assistance you needed during your recovery.

02/11/2026

https://www.kwch.com/video/2026/02/11/newstalk-project-access/
Today Executive Director Shelley Duncan and Prescription Assistance Coordinator Fern McGehee spoke with Annette Lawless with the Kansas Now segment.

Shelley Duncan and Fern McGehee share about Project Access and the mission to coordinate care and medication for underserved families facing medical diagnosis.

02/06/2026

Happy Friday! Today we are featuring a patients before and after Project Access!🌟

The mass had been growing for nearly three years. William didn’t know how much larger it would become, but as it grew, it began pressing on his throat and limiting his ability to turn his head to the right—making it difficult to check his blind spot while driving. Sleep was difficult, as the mass made it uncomfortable to rest and added to his daily fatigue. The visible size of the mass also caused emotional distress, drawing unwanted stares whenever he was out in public.

At 46 years old, William cares for his 81-year-old mother. During one of his mother’s primary care appointments, her physician—who had cared for William long before the mass began to grow—noticed the change and asked if she could help. William explained that he didn’t have insurance and wasn’t sure how he would ever receive the care he needed.

The physician told him about Project Access and referred him to the program. Through Project Access, William was connected with an ENT surgeon who donated the surgery. The mass was successfully removed and determined to be non-cancerous, and William was given a clean bill of health.

As seen in the after photo, William now carries a sense of peace, knowing that everything is going to be okay. He is deeply grateful to the doctors who gave him his life back, as well as the Project Access staff and program for providing him the opportunity to heal and move forward. He said, “I am happy to share my story and do what I can to bring needed attention to the program in hopes of helping others.” William is looking forward to when his driver’s license expires, and a new photo is taken but the photo does remind him of what he went through to get where he is today!

01/30/2026

Project Access is pleased to welcome our newest staff member, Cecilia Molina!🎉

Cecilia has joined Project Access as a Service Coordinator, where she will support patient enrollments and provide care coordination. She brings many years of experience in the medical community, and during the interview process, one statement truly stood out to us:
“I can’t fix the world, but I can do my best to help others.”

Cecilia shared a bit about herself in her own words:
“I was born in El Salvador and came to the United States at the age of 12. I have been happily married to my best friend, Carlos, for 31 years, and we have three sons—Giancarlo, Emiliano, and Cristian. My favorite thing to do is travel, which my husband and I enjoy doing often. Our goal is to one day retire and move back home to El Salvador.”

Please join us in welcoming Cecilia to the Project Access team—we’re thrilled to have her with us!💜

01/29/2026

Honoring the 67 lives lost in the plane crash 1/29/2025. The victims are remembered not only for how they died but for the love, strength, and joy they brought to their families and communities.

01/23/2026

Donor Spotlight! 🌟

We love celebrating the people who make our mission possible! Today, we’re highlighting Zach and Elizabeth and why they choose to give to Project Access.

“Our Wichita community is our home and dear to our hearts, so donating to Project Access helps our community obtain the medical services for the underserved.”

Thank you to Zach and Elizabeth for your support over the years and for finding it in your budget to give to Project Access. We appreciate you both!💜

01/16/2026

At 64, Robin works full-time at a local convenience store, earning $9 an hour. She’s been there for 12 years and knows most of her customers by name. The small store employs only three people, so it doesn’t offer health insurance.

Thanks to Project Access, Robin was able to receive cataract surgery in both eyes — care she couldn’t have afforded on her own. With her vision restored, she can continue working and living independently. Her job allows her to cover rent and bills, though there’s rarely anything left over.

Through Project Access, Robin also receives care to manage her kidney and heart disease. She says there’s no way she could have gotten the help she needed without this support.

“I simply didn’t have the money,” Robin says. “Project Access gave me the chance to keep working and stay healthy.”

Stories like Robin’s remind us why this work matters! Access to care changes lives!💜