Valentin ‘Val’ Chmerkovskiy of Dancing with the Stars Visits St. Mary’s Hospital for Children

The children of St. Mary’s Hospital, NYC’s only post-acute rehabilitation hospital for children with medically complex conditions, showed off their remarkable dancing skills last week when dancing sensation Valentin ‘Val’ Chmerkovskiy, of ABC’s top-rated show Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) visited the hospital. Val was joined by media personalities Danielle Monaro and Garrett Vogel from Z100. All three were selected to judge the children’s performances, and gave perfect scores to the little performers as they gracefully completed individual pieces and group dances.

The children of St. Mary’s are battling complex medical and life-limiting conditions. The hospital uses music as a part of rehabilitation to help patients with serious injury and illness on their road to recovery. St. Mary’s own version of Dancing with the Stars included dances that had the children performing on foot, using assistive devices, and in wheelchairs.

After spending time touring the hospital and dancing with the children, Val shared, “Nothing gives you more purpose than inspiring and helping kids. Thank you St. Mary’s for this very special opportunity. I will be back visiting very soon!