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Imagine More Dinner

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Imagine More

A nationally recognized philanthropic event, the Imagine More Dinner gives us the chance to share the hope that novel research and innovative treatment brings to those facing the challenges of diseases, disorders, and injury to the nervous system.

The Imagine More Dinner is a catalyst for change. Proceeds from this event directly support the Neuroscience Research Center, contributing to their pioneering advancements in neuroscience research. By participating, you're not just attending a dinner; you're becoming part of a movement to forge a brighter tomorrow.

Neuro Hero Award

Presented at the Imagine More Dinner, the NRC Board selects an individual or organization for outstanding commitment to Neuroscience Research.

2026 Recipient: John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Medical College of Wisconsin

The 2026 Neuro Hero Award honors John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, for his steadfast commitment to advancing neuroscience discovery and patient care. Through his leadership, Dr. Raymond has strengthened the foundation for research excellence at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Neuroscience Research Center (NRC) while championing the vital role of community support in advancing science that leads to innovative treatments and cures.

Previous Recipients of the Neuro Hero Award

  • Gail and Jeff Yabuki, The Yabuki Family Foundation, 2025
  • Dr. Cecilia Hillard, 2024
  • Avalon Action Alliance, 2023
  • Susie Kasten, 2022
  • Billie Kubly, 2019
  • Daniel M. Soref Charitable Trust, 2018
  • Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation, 2017

John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Medical College of Wisconsin

Thank You to Our 2026 Event Chairs

Mary and Ted Kellner

Thank You to Our 2026 Event Sponsors

Imagine Presenting Sponsors

Hammes Logo      T & M Partners, LLC and Kelben Foundation Logo

Believe Sponsors

Baird (Baird, Baird Funds, Ann and Warren Pierson, Meg and Matt Dean, Mary Ellen and Scott Stanek)

Discover Sponsors

Bonnie and Ned Timarac | Cathy and Michael White Family

Dream Sponsors

Christopher Doerr | Gebhardt Family | Habush Habush & Rottier | Lubar & Co. | The Wigdale Family Foundation | Stacy and Blair Williams

Envision Sponsors

Dan and Mary Druml | General Capital | Mrs. Fred Kasten | Jan Lennon and John Bosbous | Milwaukee Regional Research Forum | Ryan and Kristin Schultz | Wagner and Strauss Families | Ed & Diane Zore and Jim & Kathy Fuchs

Table Sponsors

Jennifer and Joseph Clements | The Davis Family | Allison D. Ebert, PhD | Brian Eckrose/Women in Science | Gray Matter Matters | Cecilia Hillard, PhD | Jason Kraiss | Ron Krizek | Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD | Michael McCrea & Ann Marie Uselmann | O’Leary-Guth Law Office, s.c. | John R. Raymond, Sr., MD | R&R Insurance Services | John Selix and Nancy Bonniwell | von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

Froedtert & MCW Sponsors

Children's Wisconsin | Froedtert ThedaCare | MCW Center for Neurotrauma Research | MCW Department of Neurology | MCW Department of Neurosurgery | MCW Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | MCW Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine | MCW Neuroscience Research Center | Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS)

Other Donors

Doug and Sue Erlacher | Gene and Colleen Jacobus | Timothy O’Malley | Marlyn and Neal Spear

About the Neuroscience Research Center

The Medical College of Wisconsin's Neuroscience Research Center was founded in 2010 with the goal of enhancing neuroscience research at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The Center's overarching goal is to use a team approach to tackle neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Philanthropy plays an important role in advancing the work of the Neuroscience Center and the patients who receive its benefits. Your gift will support research that moves us one step closer to understanding complex and devastating brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia, Parkinson's disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and schizophrenia, among others.

 
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Make a Donation to Neuroscience Research

Support the Neuroscience Research Center

Imagine a World without Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Hear from advocates whose lives were impacted by a loved one’s diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as they share how this experience inspired them to support research at MCW that brings hope for a cure.

Imagine Life-Changing Breakthroughs

Across MCW, researchers are expanding our understanding of how brain cells become more vulnerable to developing Alzheimer’s disease as we age, as well as developing new technology that allows physicians to detect and diagnose Alzheimer’s earlier and faster.

Imagine a World without Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Philanthropic support is crucial to speeding up the pipeline from discoveries in the lab to bedside treatment. Research at MCW is expanding our understanding of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and informing treatments that allow children born with this once-fatal genetic condition to survive.

Scenes from the 2026 Imagine More Dinner

Thank you for supporting neuroscience research at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

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Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, FEL '01, President-Designate of the Medical College of Wisconsin, presenting John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, President and CEO of MCW, with the 2026 Neuro Hero Award

Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, FEL '01, President-Designate of the Medical College of Wisconsin, presenting John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, President and CEO of MCW, with the 2026 Neuro Hero Award

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Allison D. Ebert, PhD, Director of the Neuroscience Research Center and Director of MCW’s Neuroscience Doctoral Program

Allison D. Ebert, PhD, Director of the Neuroscience Research Center and Director of MCW’s Neuroscience Doctoral Program

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Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, FEL '01, President-Designate of MCW and founding director of the Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS)

Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, FEL '01, President-Designate of MCW and founding director of the Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS)

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Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, FEL '01, President-Designate of MCW and founding director of the Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS)

Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, FEL '01, President-Designate of MCW and founding director of the Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS)

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Keynote speaker Allison D. Ebert, PhD, Director of the Neuroscience Research Center and Director of the MCW Neuroscience Doctoral Program

Keynote speaker Allison D. Ebert, PhD, Director of the Neuroscience Research Center and Director of the MCW Neuroscience Doctoral Program

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Dr. Shekar Kurpad; Benjamin Wagner, JD, Chair of the Medical College of Wisconsin Neuroscience Research Center Community Advisory Board; Mary and Ted Kellner, event chairs

Dr. Shekar Kurpad; Benjamin Wagner, JD, Chair of the Medical College of Wisconsin Neuroscience Research Center Community Advisory Board; Mary and Ted Kellner, event chairs

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Cora Helton, Elizabeth Alessio, Meredith Hiller, and Maya Blau of the Medical College of Wisconsin Orchestra

Cora Helton, Elizabeth Alessio, Meredith Hiller, and Maya Blau of the Medical College of Wisconsin Orchestra

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Michael McCrea, PhD, ABPP, Interim Executive Director of WINS and Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, Chair in Neurosurgery

Michael McCrea, PhD, ABPP, Interim Executive Director of WINS and Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, Chair in Neurosurgery

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Allison D. Ebert, PhD, Director of the Neuroscience Research Center and Director of MCW’s Neuroscience Doctoral Program, presenting the 2026 Imagine More Award to recipients Constanza Garcia Keller, PhD, Assistant Professor in Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; and Pablo Nakagawa, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology

Allison D. Ebert, PhD, Director of the Neuroscience Research Center and Director of MCW’s Neuroscience Doctoral Program, presenting the 2026 Imagine More Award to recipients Constanza Garcia Keller, PhD, Assistant Professor in Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; and Pablo Nakagawa, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology

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View more 2026 Imagine More Dinner photos!

Thank you for supporting the Imagine More Dinner at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

View photos

Contact Us

Event Inquiries
Bethany Olson
Events Consultant, Philanthropy
bnolson@mcw.edu | (414) 955-4717

 

Sponsorship Inquiries
Sharon Rise
Managing Senior Director
srise@mcw.edu | (414) 955-4504

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