Celebrity Dancers

Visit each of the dancers’ bio pages to see video of their performances.  About the Dance Contest At the Spotlight on Life Gala, “celebrity” healthcare dancers representing Wisconsin’s leading medical institutions performed with professional instructors from Fred Astaire Dance Studios in a Dancing With the Stars-style competition to raise funds for organ donation awareness. The National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin is grateful to all of the dancers for taking time out of their schedules and taking a chance on the dance floor to shine a spotlight on the critical need for organ, tissue and eye donation in Wisconsin.  Awards were given out for two categories: dance performance and favorite institution. Dancers competed for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place as judged by our panel of celebrity judges. Institutions competed by gathering “votes” ($1 = 1 vote). The institution with the most “votes” (UW Health Transplant) was named the winner of the 2012 Spotlight on Life Award!
Aaron Dall, M.D. Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin Aaron’s Bio	Robert Duncan Children’s Hospital & Health System Bob’s Bio	Jill Ellefson University of Wisconsin Organ Procurement Organization (UW OPO) Follow Jill’s blog:  Super Average Dancer Jill’s Bio
Luis A. Fernandez, M.D. UW Health Transplant Program ** 1st Place Winner ** Luis’ Bio	George P. Hinton Aurora Health Care George’s Bio	Maureen Kwiecinski BloodCenter of Wisconsin ** 2nd Place Winner ** Maureen’s Bio
Jeff Poltawsky American Family Children’s Hospital ** 3rd Place Winner ** Jeff’s Bio	John R. Raymond, Sr., MD Medical College of Wisconsin John’s Bio
SPECIAL GUEST DANCERS (non-competitive)
Anthony M. D’Alessandro, MD Professor of Surgery Director, Adult and Pediatric Liver Transplant Program Director, Multi-Organ Transplant Program UW Hospital and Clinics Medical Director, UW Health Organ Procurement Program Anthony’s Bio Dancing with Ali Wandschneider	Ali Wandschneider Student Transplant Recipient Ali’s Bio Dancing with Anthony D’Alessandro	Dennis Smith Secretary, State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services Dennis’ Bio
Dennis Baer Lab Technician Donor Family Member Dennis’ Bio Dancing with recipient, Deb Wallner	Deb Wallner Registered Nurse Transplant Recipient Deb’s Bio Dancing with Dennis Baer
CELEBRITY JUDGES
G. David Fleming Donate Life America David’s Bio	Stephen Knight Fred Astaire Dance Studios Stephen’s Bio
Marilynn Mee WKLH 96.5 Mid-Days Marilynn’s Bio	Bjorn Nasett Style Expert Bjorn’s Bio