While most college sophomores are still deciding what to major in, Hadley Copeland is already planning her application to medical school next semester. The Topeka, Kansas native is an honor student majoring in biology and minoring in intercultural studies. It sounds like the perfect fit for someone who has known since she was seven years old that she felt called to medical missions.

Hadley plans to be MNU’s first applicant to the Partner Program with Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU). If chosen she will become a first-year medical student at KCU during her senior year at MNU.

Hadley has had many opportunities to solidify her plans to become a doctor. In high school, she traveled to the Philippines twice with fellow members of Gracepoint Church. Working with the Trash Mountain Project, they ministered to those who literally make their home, and their living, near the trash dumps. Hadley helped RNs at a medical clinic which made her aware of all sorts of needs.

Last year Hadley saw a need for and created the Lunch Buddies program at Havencroft Elementary School, just three blocks from campus. She and other students have each been paired with an elementary student and periodically visit Havencroft to have lunch and spend time with them.

Hadley is also a resident assistant in Stockton-Rice. She says being an RA is the best part of her extracurricular endeavors because she gets to experience life with people her own age.

“I love helping them and (she laughs) getting to be a lot of people’s friend.”

Hadley also co-leads a group of 50 women in a book study. The experience is enriching their relationships with each other and with God. Her spiritual life is important to her and as Dr. Kelvin St. John, professor of practical theology says, it makes Hadley a great candidate to be a caring physician.

“Hadley is really caring,” Dr. St. John says. “She works well with people of all ages. First graders at Golden Bell; young adults here on campus; she’s got a big heart.”

She makes juggling coursework, extracurricular activities, volunteer service and relationships look easy. But its challenging in every way.