Medical College of Wisconsin
Medical College of Wisconsin Medical College of Wisconsin

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Kern Institute

Our Partners

The Kern National Network for Caring and Character in Medicine (KNN) integrates the strengths of seven medical schools with a shared commitment to transform medical education nationally.

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KNN Partner Schools

MCW Medical School   Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine  Mayo Clinic  UCSF School of Medicine University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School   University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Vanderbilt University School of Medicine 

Collaborative KNN Work Groups

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Caring Work Group
The purpose of the caring work group is to develop a caring definition and framework to be the foundation for the Kern Institute and KNN’s work.

Contact Jose Franco, MD

Character Work Group
The purpose of the character work group is to develop and disseminate a character toolkit and advance an evaluation framework for character in medical education.

Contact Ryan Spellecy, PhD

Diversity & Inclusion Work Group
The purpose of the diversity & inclusion work group is to describe how the Triple Aim of Medical Education can inform diversity and inclusion practices at KNN schools.

Contact Cassie Ferguson, MD

Faculty Development Work Group
The purpose of the faculty development work group is to develop faculty who are prepared to meet the challenges of 21st century medicine and will transform medical education and develop faculty with skills needed to teach and model competence, caring, and character.

Contact Alexandra Harrington, MD

Goals of Care Work Group
The purpose of the goals of care work group is to develop a competency framework and toolkit that supports medical students in developing the skills necessary for effective goals of care conversations.
Holistic Admissions Work Group
The purpose of the holistic admissions work group is to develop recommendations for collaborative projects focusing on holistic admissions and aligning with the 3Cs (Character, Caring and Competence) and entrepreneurial 3Cs (Curiosity, Creating Values, Connections).

Contact Cassie Ferguson, MD

Learning Environment Work Group
The purpose of the learning environment work group is to ensure patients have the very best environment for care which is also an environment where learners grow, thrive and learn.

Contact Marty Muntz, MD

Webinar Planning Work Group

The purpose of the webinar planning work group is to develop webinars as identified by the KNN. The current focus of the webinar planning group is to develop a webinar on the Triple Aim of Medical Education and to repackage the AAMC character, caring and competence webinars for a variety of audiences (students, patients, etc.).

For questions about this work group, contact Cheryl Maurana, PhD or Jose Franco, MD.

Well-Being Work Group
The purpose of the well-being work group is to support medical student well-being.

Contact Cassie Ferguson, MD

Women's Leadership Work Group
The purpose of the women’s leadership work group is to create an environment that fosters conscious inclusion of women leaders in academic medicine, allowing all genders to grow to their full potential and develop/promote skills in all learners around gender equity as relates to character, competence and caring.

Contact Libby Ellinas, MD