Michelle serves as the Chief Medical Officer for Wisconsin and Michigan for UnitedHealthcare's Clinical Services team, where she leads the clinical services, quality, and affordability initiatives across the market for both the Commercial and Medicare & Retirement lines of business.
Dancing in this event is very important to Michelle. As a freshman in college her world transpired from a picture perfect start to an immersion in the world of healthcare that would change her life forever. She slowly lost the ability to move her legs and ended up in a wheelchair with the need to be carried up and down the stairs to many of her classes. She was told at one point that she may never walk again and may need to learn to live with disabling pain or have her spinal cord severed. Following an arduous journey with multiple surgeries, acceptance of risk, challenges to her faith, and ultimately trust in medical professionals, the former high school biology teacher undergrad changed careers and dedicated her life to one of service. The physician you will see dancing on January 26th is dancing to inspire others that what at one time seems impossible can become a realized dream.
"I have dedicated my life to making a difference in the lives of others," Michelle says. "Just as my surgeon/medical team did for me so many years ago. I can only hope for anyone out there who is struggling with challenges that he or she will be inspired to keep going, to move forward, to rely on faith, and to trust that there are physicians who are here to make our world a better place."
"Despite not being able to fully feel my right foot following my surgeries, I am performing to inspire others that challenges can motivate us to work harder and strive to make what seems impossible, possible. You can do anything, especially when you are doing it to make life better for someone else."
Michelle has a special place in her heart for kidney health. "One of my dearest friends, Judge Derek Mosley, is a successful living kidney transplant recipient," says Michelle. "A couple years ago Derek asked if I might consider dancing to support this cause and all of those navigating the healthcare system as I had years ago. I am dancing to support the NKFW to inspire and raise funds for those whose lives, like Derek's and like mine, could be positively impacted."
In Michelle's free time she is invested in international mission and local nonprofit work. She loves to travel, play volleyball, and is an aqua Zumba enthusiast. She has played the clarinet since the 5th grade and is from Newton, Iowa.
Michelle received her BA from Simpson College - Indianola, Iowa; MD - The University of Iowa College of Medicine - Iowa City, Iowa; Masters in Medical Education (MME) - The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine - Iowa City, Iowa.
Michelle is dancing with Mykyta Serdyuk from the Pleasant Prairie Fred Astaire Studio. Mykyta is a two-time World champion and 6-time Fred Astaire National 9-Dance Champion and American National 9-Dance Champion with his professional partner, Anna Krasnoshapka.
- Be a member of
- Michelle's Fan Club
- Download and share her profile poster.
Michelle's Partner, Mykyta Serdyuk
Mykyta (“Nikita”) is from the Ukraine. He started dancing at 8 years old, and has never stopped! Since beginning his dance career, he has competed all over the world and racked up a number of high-ranking titles. He is an American champion, as well as a two-time World champion. He has an eye for detail and a unique style. His enthusiastic and welcoming personality makes everyone feel at home in the studio.Mykyta started his partnership with Anna Krasnoshapka in the Ukraine, then moved to the US to join the Fred Astaire team in Madison, Wisconsin. They started competing right away with great results, earning many first place wins in the Professional Latin division before transitioning to the American style. They’ve taken on the American styles with great success, as they now are 6-time Fred Astaire National 9-Dance Champions and American National 9-Dance Champions! They are still competing across the country, but are taking on a new stage of their career: becoming studio owners. They opened the new Pleasant Prairie location in February 2017.
