Meet the Scholar – Ellie

Name: Ellie Cumpton

COM: ATSU – KCOM

Graduation Year: 2028

Hometown: California, MO

Number of Years in the Scholar Program: 1

How did you first become aware of the Wetzel Scholar Program?

• My introduction to the Wetzel Scholars Program was in my first year of medical school during our Founder’s Day Celebration.  Every year at the celebration, MAOPS comes to speak about the organization and the relevance that it has to us as medical students.  They had Wetzel Scholars speak, one was a 2nd year student I recognized, and the other was a student I had previously gone to EMT school with that was a 3rd year student.  Since seeing these familiar faces be a part of a program that I was unfamiliar with, my awareness of the Wetzel Scholar Program has only grown.

Why were you interested in becoming a Wetzel Scholar?

• The Wetzel Scholar Program seemed like a great way to become more involved with MAOPS and feel a part of the community that has a similar mindset as me.  Already, I see many opportunities presenting themselves to me that would not have been possible without the program.  It also holds weight being a Wetzel Scholar, and I’m thankful to have that title and a chance to represent the program and MAOPS positively.

To date, what have you enjoyed the most about your Wezel Scholar experience?

• Even before being selected as a Wetzel Scholar, I noticed that the individuals within the Wetzel Scholar Program were welcoming, funny, and passionate, which is another reason my interest in it was so high.  It is also enjoyable to me to have the opportunity to grow in areas that I am not familiar with and learn more about advocacy through the program.

What personal goals do you have that you believe the Scholar Program will help you achieve?

• One of the personal goals I hope to achieve is to become more skilled in networking and learning how to utilize an advisor to help me succeed in building a strong residency application.

Tell us about a couple personal influential relationships you have developed being a part of the Scholar Program and/or being engaged with MAOPS?

• One influential relationship that stands out to me is one with Dr. Benjamin Cook (he probably does not realize it).  Before I even knew I wanted to come to KCOM, I shadowed Dr. Cook, knowing he was an alumnus.  He was such an educator and made me feel welcome in his clinic, but I thought after those 20 hours of shadowing, that I’d likely never see him again or have any further meaningful interactions.  However, at my first MOAC in 2025, he was the lead for the Special Olympics event and had several other leadership roles at the conference, even going on to win an award.  He says he remembered me shadowing him and seemed excited that I was a part of MAOPS.  Being able to watch him have such an influence and passion for what he does, especially within MAOPS, has really given me the courage to feel like I have a place within this organization.

What has surprised you the most about MAOPS since you have become involved?

• My surprise has come from my own passion about the bills we are advocating for, or against, as an organization.  I never thought of myself as someone with an interest in bills, legislation, or advocacy until that initial presentation during our MAOPS Founder’s Day lecture.  Being able to learn how some of the bills and legislation can directly affect me as a future physician and my future patients has given me a newfound spark for advocacy that was missing prior to medical school.

Tell us something surprising/interesting about you.

• I played on a collegiate intramural co-ed flag football team that went on to represent Mizzou at the National Intramural Flag-Football tournament two years in a row.