Living Fully in the Present: The Mindful Medicine of Dr. Ellen Cooke
In a time when healthcare is rapidly evolving, few physicians embody the true spirit of whole-person healing like Ellen Cooke, MD. A board-certified radiation oncologist in Wichita, Kansas, Dr. Cooke is redefining what it means to care for patients—by blending evidence-based oncology with the transformative power of mindfulness, presence, and compassion.
This story highlights the unique way Dr. Cooke practices medicine, the meaningful work she is doing through the Circle of Hope, and the inspiring life she leads both inside and outside the clinic—all optimized so readers searching for mindful cancer support, meditation resources, or integrative oncology will discover her work.
A Radiation Oncologist Bringing Mind, Body, and Spirit Back Into Medicine
As an experienced radiation oncologist, Dr. Cooke understands cancer care at the deepest level. But what truly sets her apart is her ability to see the whole person in front of her. She takes the time to know her patients beyond their diagnoses—learning their stories, fears, families, values, and sources of strength.
Her approach is rooted in three core principles:
Presence creates healing.
Mind-body integration improves resilience.
Compassion is a powerful clinical tool.
To further elevate her holistic approach, Dr. Cooke completed a fellowship in Contemplative Medicine, adding to her many years as a certified mindfulness instructor. This training allows her to support her patients not only with advanced medical care but also with tools that nurture emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Founder of the Circle of Hope: Mindfulness for Patients, Professionals & Families
Dr. Cooke is the founder of The Circle of Hope, a powerful organization dedicated to teaching mindfulness to:
Cancer patients
Caregivers
Healthcare professionals
Parents
Children
The mission is simple and profound: to help people live more fully in the present moment, even in times of uncertainty.
Through the Circle of Hope, she offers:
Meditation workshops and retreats
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses
Custom meditation programs (including those designed for coaching and wellbeing programs)
Weekly guided practices
Educational speaking events
Training for medical teams
Her ability to translate complex mindfulness concepts into warm, accessible, real-life tools has made her work widely sought after.
You can join her community at: jointhecircleofhope.com
Subscribe to receive a free guided meditation delivered to your inbox every Monday.
National Presence: Teaching Mindfulness Across the Country
Dr. Cooke has brought mindful living to audiences nationwide. She has:
Led meditation at multiple national medical conferences
Been featured on numerous podcasts
Taught MBSR to clinicians and communities
Led live meditation clinics
Created custom meditations for professional coaching programs
One of the achievements she cherishes most is her personally curated meditation series featured exclusively inside Dr. Ali Novitsky’s Transform Program for Women Physicians. These meditations offer emotional grounding, intentionality, and presence to a community of high-performing women physicians navigating burnout, identity, and healing.
Mindfulness as a Way of Living: Dr. Cooke’s Philosophy
At the heart of her work is a belief she repeats often:
“Our greatest power is our ability to live fully in the present moment.”
When we anchor ourselves in presence, she teaches, we access:
Truth – the clarity to see what truly matters
Compassion – for ourselves and others
Love – the foundation for meaningful connection
Purpose – the inner knowing that guides our lives
This philosophy informs everything she teaches, from mindful parenting to mindful leadership to mindful navigation of illness.
Life Beyond the Clinic: A Family of Adventurers
When she isn’t teaching or caring for patients, Dr. Cooke is exploring the world with her husband and three children. Her family has a remarkable goal: visiting every continent before their oldest (currently 13) graduates from high school.
So far, they’ve visited 4 out of 7 continents, and the upcoming adventures are extraordinary:
Summer 2026: Australia and New Zealand (with Great Barrier Reef snorkeling!)
February 2027: Antarctica
Following year: A safari in Africa to complete all seven continents
This passion for global travel infuses her mindfulness teachings with stories, visuals, and experiences from around the world.
Fun Facts That Make Dr. Cooke Truly One-of-a-Kind
Favorite Color: Kelly Green — Go Irish!
Beloved Pets: A dog, cat, turtle, and gecko
Most Unique Fact:
She has had her box turtle, Tortilla, since she was 12 years old!Social Media:
@circleofhope4u on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn
@ellencookemd on TikTok (featuring free mindful minutes paired with travel videos!)
Email: ellencookemd@gmail.com
Why Patients and Professionals Seek Her Out
1. She blends science and soul.
Dr. Cooke respects the rigor of oncology while honoring the human experience of illness.
2. She sees healing as multidimensional.
Her work includes the mind, body, and spirit—not just symptoms.
3. She teaches mindfulness in a way that feels natural and doable.
Her practices are simple, meaningful, and grounded in real life.
4. She creates safe spaces.
Patients and participants feel supported, seen, and deeply understood.
5. She embodies the present moment.
Her calm presence is a reminder of what mindful medicine looks like in action.
Want to Experience Mindfulness With Dr. Cooke?
To join her community and receive a free guided meditation every Monday, visit:
👉 https://jointhecircleofhope.com
And follow her travel-infused mindful content:
👉 @circleofhope4u (FB, Insta, X, LinkedIn)
👉 @ellencookemd on TikTok