Meet Wetzel Scholar – Hailey VanRonzelen

Name: Hailey VanRonzelen

COM: KCU-Joplin

Graduation Year: 2026

Hometown: Jefferson City MO

Number of Years in the Scholar Program: 2

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

• • I was aware of it during my time as campus MAOPS president and trustee. The Wetzel scholars were at the same events I was at and we had a lot in common.

Why were you interested in becoming a Wetzel Scholar?

• • I have always loved policy and political science (even have an undergrad minor in it). MAOPS seemed like a good way to be involved in that aspect while trying to reach my goals of becoming a physician. I have been able to learn so much about policy and the legal process through my time as a Wetzel.

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

• • I have enjoyed being able to connect with physicians (and students) outside of my medical school. It has really created a community for me and led me to countless resources.

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

• • I think the Wetzel Program allows me create steps to take to advocate for my patients and profession. There are things I see or hear about while on rotations that I feel like need to be addressed at a higher level. I can reach out and begin the process of fixing some of those problems.

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

• • Countless. For me, I thought I was certain what I wanted to do when starting medical school. This past year on rotation, I started to change my mind a little and I was able to reach out to multiple physicians in MAOPS and get their ideas and guidance to help me work through some of those internal struggles. They also knew me as a person and were able to provide more personalized advice.

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

• • The environment. I am treated the same as any of the other members of MAOPS, even though I am a student. I have always felt like my voice is heard at meetings. At social events, students are always encouraged and physicians will go out of their way to socialize with us and get to know us. I find that really different from most similar organizations.

Tell us something surprising/interesting about you.

• • I was a nurse before starting medical school and worked in the ICU in Chicago. I secretly got married on a mountain.