The 2026 JayDoc Awards & Fundraising Banquet was a huge success! The event raised $44,915 from sponsors, attendee tickets and over 30 silent auction items purchased during the evening. The funds will be used to enhance the current comprehensive diabetes care efforts, such as distributing essential diabetes supplies like testing strips and glucose monitors, providing access to vital medications, and continuing interpreter services. Upcoming initiatives led by the KU School of Pharmacy JayDoc directors include working to expand access to the JayDoc diabetes education classes to the larger Wichita community and providing ancillary resources, such as foot care kits and tips for diabetes-friendly nutrition.

The JayDoc Community Clinic opened in 2005 in partnership between Guadalupe Clinic and KU School of Medicine-Wichita to provide free quality care. The clinic is operated by medical, pharmacy and pre-medical students and area physicians. The students provide critical services to the community while gaining supervised clinical experience.

“Year after year, the banquet provides us with the opportunity to celebrate the magnitude of our impact and share just how much we’ve continued to expand,” said fourth-year medical student and outgoing Executive Director Kavya Natesan. “We are excited to continue the mission of JayDoc to provide free, high-quality health care to Wichita's underserved populations with the support of our volunteers and sponsors.”

Attendees of the banquet, which took place Feb. 7 at Ninth Floor Club and Venue in Wichita, included 155 student volunteers, preceptors, sponsors and community members. The guest speaker for the evening was Sheryl Beard, M.D., one of JayDoc’s longstanding physician volunteers who has provided years of service and mentorship. Auction items featured baskets filled with items from local businesses, including Eric Fisher Salon and Wichita Dermatology & Aesthetics, in addition to packages to visit Grace Hill Winery and Orange Theory.

“It was a true pleasure to plan and coordinate this year’s banquet,” said Shayla To, fourth-year medical student and JayDoc board director of special events. “It has been incredibly special to witness the dedication and hard work happening behind the scenes to continue JayDoc’s mission.”

The JayDoc board recognized several volunteers for their dedication, commitment, leadership and joy in everything they do for the clinic with Volunteerism, Clinical Excellence, Excellence in Mentorship, Excellence in Service, Clinical Growth, Resident of the Year and other awards.

Additionally, a new Excellence in Interpretation Services Award was presented to Carmen Kissinger, one of the very dedicated interpreters that has grown to become a part of the JayDoc family.

During the program, it was shared that premed volunteers, Evan Saga and Kira McGrown, have been accepted to KU School of Medicine, and the board is excited to continue to work with them as incoming medical students.

Closing comments

“As I was preparing remarks for this year’s banquet,” said Natesan, “I thought back to when I first started volunteering with JayDoc in 2015 as a premedical student at the time. Like many of my peers, I started learning about the challenges low-cost clinics face, the impact of limitations in available resources and the strenuous circumstances several of our patients navigate every single day. At the same time, I also witnessed the powerful role JayDoc plays in bridging these gaps and extending equitable services to our community members in need. Ten years later, I find myself with the privilege of serving on JayDoc’s board alongside my incredibly dedicated peers as we strive to contribute to JayDoc’s continued advancement and success. I have no doubt that JayDoc will continue to reach even greater heights.” 

“My favorite part (of working at the clinic) is getting to work alongside friends who are passionate about serving the community and nurturing a love of learning together,” said To. “The magic of JayDoc can be seen in our student volunteers honing their skills, the preceptors teaching a clinic team about a case, our directors blending our individual projects into one seamless goal, and our patients granting us the honor of caring for them and their families.”

“JayDoc has continued to evolve since I first joined as an M1,” said Fernanda Reyes, third-year medical student and incoming JayDoc executive director. “I am excited about the opportunity to help guide it forward alongside the rest of the board and our mentors. While we will continue to change, I hope we continue to center on what has always made JayDoc special: our patients. Providing consistent, compassionate primary care is the foundation on which our clinic was built, and it deserves to remain our highest priority. I truly can’t wait to continue this work.”

View photos from the event.

Learn more about the JayDoc Community Clinic and/or show your support.

Above, right: Kavya Natesan, fourth-year medical student an executive director of the JayDoc Community Clinic, speaks during the banquet.

Above, left: The JayDoc Banquet Committee at their script writing meeting, from left to right: Dania Jumpa, Fernanda Reyes, Evie Schmitz, Shayla To, Hannah Le and Kavya Natesan.

2026 JayDoc Banquet Awardees 

• 2026 JayDoc Fourth-Year Medical Student Volunteerism Award – Adam Wilson, Ethan Scharf 

• 2026 JayDoc Third-Year Medical Student Volunteerism Award – Hope Smelser, Ike Abrams 

• 2026 JayDoc Second-Year Medical Student Volunteerism Award –Hassan Sohail, Ibrahim Touffaha  

• 2026 JayDoc First-Year Medical Student Volunteerism Award – Joshua Kennell, Claire Broxterman, Minh Nguyen and Abby Hipp

• 2026 JayDoc Physician Volunteerism Award – Dr. Sheryl Beard and Dr. Edward Hett 

• 2026 JayDoc Internal Medicine Resident of the Year Award – Dr. Fady El Tom 

• 2026 JayDoc Family Medicine Resident of the Year Award – Dr. Aaron Holt  

• 2026 JayDoc Pharmacist Volunteerism Award – Dr. Shin and Jean Macias  

• 2026 JayDoc Fourth-Year Pharmacy Student Volunteerism Award – Hannah Le 

• 2026 JayDoc Third-Year Pharmacy Student Volunteerism Award – Thomas Barnaby 

• 2026 JayDoc Second-Year Pharmacy Student Volunteerism Award – Adrianna Gallegos, Makayla Webb 

• 2026 JayDoc First-Year Pharmacy Student Volunteerism Award – Austin Cain 

• 2026 JayDoc Medical Student Clinical Excellence Award – Adam Wilson, fourth-year 

• 2026 JayDoc Medical Student Clinical Growth Award – Hassan Sohail, second-year 

• 2026 JayDoc Medical Student Excellence in Service Award – Hope Smelser, third-year 

• 2026 JayDoc Medical Student Excellence in Mentorship Award – Shayla To, fourth-year 

• 2026 JayDoc Pharmacy Student Clinical Excellence Award – Adrianna Gallegos, second-year 

• 2026 JayDoc Pharmacy Student Clinical Growth Award – Kelsey Smith, second-year 

• 2026 JayDoc Pharmacy Student Excellence in Service Award – Aubrey Knapton, third-year 

• 2026 JayDoc Pharmacy Student Excellence in Mentorship Award – Thomas Barnaby, third-year  

• 2026 JayDoc Premedical Student Volunteerism Award – Melissa Chavez, Evan Saga and Shellamae Farmer

• 2026 JayDoc Premedical Student Distinguished Service Award – Evan Saga 

• 2026 JayDoc Interpreter Volunteerism Award – Paulino Sanchez 

• 2026 JayDoc Excellence in Interpretation Services Award – Carmen Kissenger 

• 2026 JayDoc Clinic Hero Awards – Brianna Caldino and Leticia Rivas 

• 2026 JayDoc Excellence in Clinical Partnership Award – Leticia Dominguez 

Award recipients take a group photo during the 2026 JayDoc Awards & Fundraising Banquet.

Award Descriptions

• The Clinical Excellence Award recognizes a student's efforts in providing unparalleled patient care, growth in clinical skills and unwavering commitment to the mission of our clinic.
• The Excellence in Mentorship Award is reserved for third- or fourth-year medical and pharmacy students who are dedicated to mentoring underclassmen and fostering their growth in the clinical setting. 
• The Excellence in Service Award is presented to students who surpass expectations to uphold JayDoc's vision by consistently supporting clinic operations and ensuring our mission is fulfilled to the highest standard. 
• The Clinical Growth Award recognizes first- or second-year medical and pharmacy students who have shown remarkable growth in providing quality patient care and enhancing their clinical skills.
• The Internal Medicine and Family Medicine Resident of the Year Awards are given to residents who have demonstrated excellent mentorship skills and exceeded expectations in teaching students during clinic. 
• The Premedical Student Distinguished Service Award is given to a student who has exceeded expectations in fulfilling their duties and improving clinic flow. 
• The Volunteerism Awards recognize individuals with outstanding clinical skills who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to JayDoc by volunteering the most hours in 2025-2026. 
• The Clinic Hero Awards are reserved for the dedicated staff at Guadalupe Clinic who not only coordinate patient care but also empower our students with the tools and resources necessary to deliver the best care possible. Their unwavering support is truly invaluable.  
• The Excellence in Clinical Partnership Award honors a staff member who serves as the vital link between Guadalupe Clinic and JayDoc, fostering collaboration and shared purpose. Through their insight, they equip the JayDoc board as well as our student volunteers to effectively navigate our clinical setting.
• The Interpreter Volunteerism Award is presented to an interpreter who has consistently volunteered the most hours and provided outstanding service to JayDoc.
• The Excellence in Interpretation Services Award is given to an interpreter who has displayed exceptional professionalism in their interactions with patients, while also meaningfully connecting with our volunteers. 

View a list of JayDoc Awards & Fundraising Banquet sponsors.