About Us
Wisconsin Staff Physician Recruiters (WSPR), is an organization of healthcare professionals with a primary commitment to effective, ethical recruitment and retention of high quality healthcare providers to the state of Wisconsin, advocacy for issues critical to provider recruitment and continuing professional education.
Officers and Committees

President
KJ Ellis, CPRP
Faculty Recruiter
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
KJ Ellis began his career in Physician Recruitment in 2010 at Merritt Hawkins (AMN) in Irving, Texas. As a Search Consultant in a retained third-party environment, he was able to learn about the challenges faced by rural community-based practices. Whether it was fate, or coincidence, KJ was assigned to the Upper Midwest Territory (WI, MN, ND, SD, IA, IL). ... Over one hundred searches and a decade later, KJ and his wife decided to move to Madison, WI with their two kids (both under two at the time). Not long after the move in 2022, KJ joined the Faculty Recruitment team at The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. KJ joined WSPR and AAPPR in 2022. He has served on the WSPR Marketing committee, been a part of the AAPPR Academic In-House Recruiters SIG and held the role of WSPR Vice President since 2024. KJ is passionate about continuing to attract excellent Physicians, Scientists and providers to the state of Wisconsin who will thrive professionally and personally while they shape the future of healthcare in the Region.

Vice President
Amanda Steffens
Physician Recruiter
Medical College of Wisconsin
Anneliese Boehm is a seasoned healthcare Amanda Steffens is the Executive Faculty Recruiter at the Medical College of Wisconsin, leading national executive searches for key institutional leadership roles. She oversees and manages the full search process, guiding search committees and supporting both internal and external candidates to ensure a professional, positive, and well-supported experience. Amanda is known for her collaborative approach and her commitment to helping candidates navigate complex recruitment processes. ... Originally from Minnesota and a proud Marquette University graduate, Amanda is active in WSPR, AAPPR, and the Junior League of Milwaukee. She also volunteers with the United Service Organizations (USO), supporting active-duty military members. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, playing pickleball, spending time with friends and family, and kayaking with her two chihuahuas, Winston and Lola.

Treasurer
Courtney Davidson has been in recruitment for 25+ years including 4 years in provider recruitment. Courtney joined WSPR in 2022 and has been an active member of the Events Committee. She loves the work the Events committee does in supporting WSPR. She was elected in 2026 to serve as Treasurer. ... When she’s not working, she is enjoying time with her family and friends (mainly at their cabin, their happy place). Courtney loves to get outside and going on walks while getting some vitamin D.

Member at Large
Kaija Towle, CPRP
Physician Recruiter
Emplify Health
Kaija is a Physician Recruiter at Emplify Health, where she has served in her current role for the past four years. She has been an active member of WSPR and AAPPR for four years and holds the Certified Physician/Provider Recruitment Professional (CPRP) credential through AAPPR. She also serves on the WSPR Events Committee, reflecting her commitment to

Secretary
Veronica Dupuis
Physician Recruiter at Advocate Health
Veronica serves as a Senior Physician Recruiter at Aurora Health Care, now part of Advocate Health, where she excels in connecting physicians with diverse opportunities across multiple specialties throughout the Midwest. Since joining WSPR in 2017, Veronica has contributed significantly as both a member and currently as Secretary. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix in 2015 and maintains active membership in both the AAPPR and WSPR. ... Originally from Burlington, Wisconsin, Veronica relocated to Racine to pursue her professional aspirations in health care, which ultimately led her to a rewarding career in physician recruitment. She holds active roles with WSPR, Empty Bowls, and the Racine County Food Bank, reflecting her deep commitment to community service. Veronica’s dedication to Wisconsin is evident in her enthusiasm for exploring the state’s scenic destinations. She values time with her family in Caledonia and embraces community involvement. She also enjoys gardening, attending live music events, and visiting local farmers markets. Veronica is married, a mother of three, and a proud grandmother.

Past President
Anneliese Boehm is a seasoned healthcare recruitment and workforce integration leader, currently serving as President of the Wisconsin Staff Physician Recruiters (WSPR) Board. She has held this position since 2022 and previously contributed to the organization in several key capacities, including Treasurer (2018–2022) and Co‑Chair of the Membership Committee (2020–2025). Her longstanding leadership reflects a deep commitment to advancing best practices and strengthening collaboration among physician recruitment professionals across the state. ... Professionally, Anneliese is a Senior Physician Integration Specialist with Advocate Aurora Health, where she is responsible for coordinating and overseeing core components of the physician hiring, onboarding, and integration processes across defined regional markets. In this capacity, she partners closely with executive and clinical leadership to support strategic workforce planning, streamline recruitment operations, and ensure a comprehensive and seamless experience for incoming physicians. Her expertise includes process optimization, retention planning, and the application of data‑driven insights to support organizational workforce strategies. Anneliese holds an MBA in Healthcare Administration from Olivet Nazarene University and a Bachelor’s degree in Music and Arts Management from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. She is a Certified Physician/Provider Recruitment Professional (CPRP) and has earned the AAPPR Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Micro‑Certification, underscoring her commitment to advancing equitable and effective physician workforce practices. In addition to her professional and association leadership roles, Anneliese remains engaged in community and arts-focused initiatives in the Racine area, demonstrating her dedication to service, organizational stewardship, and community impact.
Gretchen Schweiss
Dana Butterfield
Amanda Steffens
Deb Gugel
Jessie Pondel
Dolly Williams
Laura Ketterhagen
KJ Ellis
Courtney Zabala
Veronica Dupuis
Leigh Fredericks
Mikaela Messerschmidt
Tasha Hruska
Jamie Dahl
Kaija Towle
Courtney Davidson
Cati teDuits
Ashley Royston
Dana Butterfield
Kelly Meiwessen
Anneleise Boehm
Please Contact a Committee member for more information:
- Gretchen Schweiss
gretchen.schweiss@aah.org - Taylor McGee
tmcgee@mcw.edu - Mikaela Messerschmidt
mikaela.messerschmidt@baycareclinic.com
- Tasha Hruska
tasha.hruska@prevea.com - Dana Butterfield
dana.butterfield@aah.org - Kelly Meiwessen
Kelley.Mewissen@aah.org