Maggie Kudirka, ‘The Bald Ballerina’ Appears on “Medoscopy”

Maggie Kudirka, a Howard County resident and a patient of The Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy, was only 23 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Just starting her career as a professional dancer with New York's "Joffrey Ballet Concert Group" in 2014, Maggie had detected a lump when showering, and experienced pain in the center of her chest.

In the past nine years, Maggie has undergone a double mastectomy, a hysterectomy, countless scans and biopsies as well as many rounds of chemotherapy. As chemotherapy would rob her of her hair, she adopted the moniker of "Bald Ballerina".

Maggie, who has been featured in on WBAL-TV Channel 11, WJZ-TV Channel 13, websites for People magazine, the Today Show, Vogue, Glamour, and more, brings her story to the set of Medoscopy, the first non-clinician to appear on the program, now in its third year. Her interview airs on the hospital's ongoing talk show series via Facebook Watch on Wednesday and Thursday, May 17 and 18.

As part of her interview, Maggie introduced viewers to Momma Mia, one of her prized Pomeranians and her emotional support/therapy dog. Maggie discussed her annual fund-raising ballet concert in Howard County where dancers come from all over the region gather to help her raise money for her care. She also shared her affinity for Disney World, her visits helping her stay positive during the course of her treatment.

A 30-minute pre-taped program that explores the background and lives of Mercy clinicians, patients and others, Medoscopy airs in two 15-minute segments. Past episodes of Medoscopy are available for viewing on Mercy's YouTube channel.

Medoscopy is filmed on the campus of Mercy Medical Center in downtown Baltimore with video, sound, and lighting provided by Zinnia Film.