Dawn Felicity Wolfgram

Dr. Dawn Felicity Wolfgram is an Associate Professor and Acting Division Chief at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She specializes in Nephrology and practices at the Zablocki VA Medical Center. Her research focuses on the cognitive and functional impacts of kidney disease, particularly how hemodialysis affects cognitive outcomes in older adults. She also investigates improving access to home dialysis therapies.

Education: MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health (2007); Internal Medicine residency at the University of Michigan (2007–2010); Nephrology fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals (2010–2012).

Research Interests:

• Cognitive impairment in chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Neurological complications of hemodialysis
• Geriatric nephrology priorities
• Patient-centered dialysis interventions

Recent Article Trends: Her work emphasizes cerebrovascular reactivity, cerebral hypoxia during dialysis, and longitudinal neuroimaging changes in hemodialysis patients. Themes include translational research linking kidney disease to neurological outcomes and optimizing care through scenario planning interventions.

Awards:

• Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology (FASN)

Grants & Labs: Active in clinical trials and multidisciplinary research, focusing on improving dialysis practices and patient outcomes. Collaborates in studies prioritizing geriatric nephrology needs.

Labs/Teams: Leads research on cerebral blood flow dynamics in CKD patients and contributes to the Medical College of Wisconsin’s nephrology research initiatives.