Transformational Ideas Initiative (TI2)
The annual initiative supports projects proposed by MCW faculty, staff, students, residents, postdocs, and fellows that focus on transforming medical education and align with empathy, character, and caring. We encourage collaboration and partnerships within MCW, other institutions, community members, and organizations.
Who is this for? Anyone who is…
- interested in experimenting,
- open to exploring new ideas and reimagining existing ideas or programs
- curious, compassionate, change makers
- truly interested in transforming medical education for the future
What to expect?
- collaborative design-inspired workshops
- experiment with your ideas
- one-on-one mentoring
- resources to implement your pilot
- gaining knowledge in design and entrepreneurial thinking
What’s NEW this year?
- At least 1 faculty and 1 learner (student, resident, post doc, etc.) per team
- Program coaches
- Returning in-person design workshops (hybrid options for our Green Bay & Central Wisconsin campuses)
Important Dates
2022-2023 Transformational Ideas Initiative Projects
Utilizing Tweet-Style Reflections to Foster Character Development Among Health Professions Students
Assessing the Impact of a Refugee Curriculum on Medical Providers’ and Trainees’ Confidence in Providing Cross-Cultural Care
Medical Student Mediation Training Program
Cultivating Cultural Intelligence to Improve Cancer Disparities with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities
A Pilot Program for Patient-Physician Interaction Education: Addressing Muslim Patients’ Needs
Improving Healthcare for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
Keeping our eyes on the future: Building empathy through holistic teaching
Operation Conversation: Using a peer-led roleplay model to help pre-clinical medical students improve interpersonal skills and navigate difficult patient conversations
The Phronimos* Project: Empowering Residents as Role Models of Practical Wisdom in Medicine
Telehealth Experience by Learner Engagement using Simulation (TELES)
4C for Early Career Faculty
What To Expect When You're Expecting (To Start a New Rotation)
Studying in Motion
Religion and Spirituality in Medicine: Does It Have a Place? Forming Culturally Sensitive Physicians While Maintaining Patient Autonomy
On Palliative Care, Death and Dying: What’s Most Important for the New MCW Curriculum?
2021-22 Transformational Ideas Initiative Projects
ACCESS Better Care Through Social Determinants of Health Training
An Antiracist Medical School Curriculum. It Matters.
Answering the Call: Using the Medicine Clerkship to Facilitate Inpatient Follow-up for Emergency Residents
Closing the Gap of Knowledge and Education Among Providers in the Disparities Sexual and Gender Minorities Face
Creating an Annual Anti-Racism Pledge for Medical Students
Developing a Low-Stakes Environment for Teaching Development and Feedback: The Teaching Test Kitchen
Mattering and Character Strength Spotting on the Gynecology and Surgery Medical Student Clerkships
Medical Provider Simulation Practicum
Medicine in Real Life
Nourish & Grow: MCW-Green Bay Student Garden Initiative
Transformational Ideas Initiative Program Director

Lana Minshew, PhD, MEd
Director, Human-Centered Design Lab; Member, P-METaL Lab, Kern Institute
Contact Us
Lana Minshew, PhD, MEd
Director, Human-Centered Design Lab
Nina Johnston
Program Manager, Human-Centered Design Lab
Kern Institute
Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 Watertown Plank Rd., Suite M1990
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 Watertown Plank Rd., Suite M1990
Milwaukee, WI 53226